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Passes our checks

Pattern

EIN 47-4197760 · Carmel, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Pattern, Inc. provides support to Central Indianas creative/maker industries in the form of business resources, exposure, education, and advocacy.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$971,932
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
6
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$75,000, exectuive 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $468,729 spent. Pattern offers fellowships and creatitve entrepreneur in residence programs allowing participants to work onsite learning all aspects of the organization including social media, fashion, journalism, graphic design, photography, event planning, business administration, non profit management and marketing/public relations. Internships are offered in 12 to 16 week increments to college students and recent graudates in the spring, summer and fall.
  2. $100,815 spent. Pattern hosts multiple events throughout the year with the purpose of growing, educating, and unifying an all inclusive community of fashion lovers, students, professionals, and enthusiasts. Events held include digital cover shoots, the Indiana Creative Economy Summitt, as well as a variety of networking and skill building events.
  3. $54,855 spent. Stitchworks, a program of Patterns, operates as a small batch sewing facility offering production services to indie fashion designers and entrepreneurs by establishing a full time cut and sew facility while simultaneously creating a pipeline of sewing talent in our region. In 2021, Pattern launched an industrial sewing certificate program to address the dire shortage of industrial machine operators.
  4. $54,143 spent. In support of the mission of the organization, Pattern publishes a bi-annual magazine that provides fashion/maker industry personnel the opportunity to work in their field and to otherwise hone their professional skills in a professional enviroment and educates the broader community about our mission. The publication is sold at Patterns events and local bookstores. All proceeds, if any, go towards the organizations programming needs. Pattern also maintains a website, which is a digital extension of the printed magazine. Access to the website and its content is free.
  5. Pattern is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization that provides educational, economic, and community building opportunities in Central Indiana, primarily serving those interested in fashion and other creative pursuits, or otherwise making and hand-crafting tangible products. While the fashion and maker communities are valued and strong in certain parts of the U.S., Central Indiana is not yet a large contributer, because few resources have been made available to invest in and strengthen an industry infrastructure that currently exists in disparate, underserved segments throughout the area. Pattern was organized to close the gaps through education opportunities, programming, and initiatives that connect, serve, and showcase this maker community.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.