Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Make Startups Institute Inc

EIN 46-2793987 · Augusta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VISION OF OUR HACKERSPACE IS A SELF SUSTAINING CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY COOPERATIVE WORKSHOP THAT PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH THE SPACE, EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTION, GUIDANCE, AND FRIENDSHIPS NECESSARY TO TACKLE ANY CHALLENGE THEY MAY FACE. WE BELIEVE THAT THE SOLE PURPOSE OF TECHNOLOGY IS TO BETTER HUMAN LIVES, AND THAT THROUGH MASTERY OF IT, OUR MEMBERS CAN ENJOY HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE WHILE ALSO BEING INDIVIDUALLY MORE PRODUCTIVE. OUR GOAL IS TO BETTER THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH VENTURE CREATION BASED UPON HUMANISTIC IDEALS AND LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY.

Income
$345,276
Spending
$359,367
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
3

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $277,950 spent. SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP & START UP BUSINESSES WITH MULTI WEEK CRASH COURSES FOR INDEPTH LEARNING, TECHNICAL TRAINING, AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEERS TO SHARE AND NURTURE IDEAS INTO ACTIONABLE BUSINESS VENTURES AND PROMOTE INNOVATION. MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO HOT DESKS UP TO PRIVATE OFFICES, LAB SPACE & SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AND PEERS WITH DIFFERENT EXPERTISE ALL WITHIN THE GA CYBER CENTER COMPLEX FOR THEM TO DEVELOP IDEAS INTO VIABLE BUSINESS'S WHILE BEING GUIDED BY THE CLUBHOU.SE'S STAFF & DIRECTORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 July 2014.

    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.