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Net Positive Inc

EIN 46-2666977 · Buffalo, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Net Positive, Inc. provides youth and adults with the opportunity to pursue their business dreams with access to private space, equipment, and business assistance. An average of 200 students find success in hands-on skill

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
27
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$62,080, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $316,030 spent. Youth Education & Workforce Development The Foundry advances education, empowerment, and employment by serving an average of 200 youth annually from K12 students to out-of-school emerging adults up to age 24. Through hands-on STEAM learning in our shops and labs, participants gain exposure to career pathways, new digital literacies, and technical skill-building that translates into real opportunities. Our workforce pipeline includes job training partnerships with Baker-Victory Services and YouthBuild, paid part-time employment through FOUNDRYmade, job-shadowing with onsite entrepreneurs, and youth entrepreneurship programs that teach financial literacy, product development, and public market selling. Together, these layered experiences move youth from curiosity to competency to career.
  2. $568,920 spent. Business Support This past year, The Foundry supported 25 businesses through affordable on-site incubation space paired with mentoring, business workshops, and connections to local support services. We expanded our impact beyond tenants by launching Business and Product Labs and delivering capacity-building workshops to several hundred additional entrepreneurs in the community. Multiple incubated businesses successfully graduated into independent locations, contributing to neighborhood economic growth. We also hosted on-site legal clinics in partnership with regional organizations to help entrepreneurs address legal questions related to formation, contracts, and compliance reducing barriers and strengthening the long-term viability of small businesses across Buffalo.
  3. $155,399 spent. Makerspace Access The Foundry provides broad community access to fabrication tools and hands-on learning through adult workshops in our wood, metal, textile, and technology labs. These classes allow adults to build new skills, prototype ideas, and complete personal or professional projects in a supported environment. In addition, we host weekly Open Maker Hours, giving trained community members ongoing access to our shops and equipment. More than 100 individuals actively use these hours to continue skill development, repair or create products, and participate in a shared creative ecosystem that lowers barriers to making, learning, and micro-manufacturing.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.