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Drive Change Inc

EIN 46-4691123 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY TRAINING, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PATHWAYS TO ADVANCE THEIR ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND OVERALL WELL-BEING.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
16
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$206,766, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $1.2 million spent. SHORT-TERM CLASSROOM AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS: PROGRAM OFFERINGS ARE FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSFERRABLE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS THAT WILL EMPOWER FORMERLY INCARCERATED YOUTH TO SUCCESSFULLY SEEK AND RETAIN EMPLOYMENT. AN 8-MONTH PAID FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO 18 TO 25 YEAR-OLDS, TO TRAIN THEM IN CULINARY ARTS, PLACE THEM INTO LIVING WAGE JOBS, AND HOLD OUR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS ACCOUNTABLE TO PROVIDING A WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE THAT IS FAIR, SUPPORTIVE, AND EQUITABLE.
  2. $574,931 spent. JOB PLACEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TRAINING, COACHING AND DIRECTION TO THE LEADERS OF OUR HOSPITALITY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE RESTAURANT NETWORK, FOCUSING ON UNCONSCIOUS BIASES, IDENTITY, AND PRIVILEGE.
  3. $99,399 spent. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCES AND DISTRIBUTES INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS TO RAISE AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT CURRENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN NEW YORK, SPECIFICALLY AS THEY PERTAIN TO YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

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 February 2015.

    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.