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Open Works Inc

EIN 47-5535634 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO REVITALIZE ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED COMMUNITIES IN BALTIMORE THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN PRODUCT DESIGN AND FABRICATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING, AND INCUBATION OF SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
39
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$105,000, president

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 87 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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. $1.7 million spent. OPEN WORKS PROVIDES AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TOOLS, TECHNOLOGIES AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO USE THEM TO INDIVIDUALS, SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BALTIMORE AREA. ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED THROUGH MONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS AND INDIVIDUALLY PURCHASED DAY-PASSES. FABRICATION SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND SPECIALIZED WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. LEASED OFFICE AND PRODUCT DESIGN WORK AREAS PROVIDE AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR START-UP BUSINESSES. PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND INTERNSHIPS PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT IN ADVANCED FABRICATION BUSINESSES.
  2. $163,115 spent. OPEN WORKS PROVIDES AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TOOLS, TECHNOLOGIES AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO USE THEM TO INDIVIDUALS, SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BALTIMORE AREA. ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED THROUGH MONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS AND INDIVIDUALLY PURCHASED DAY-PASSES. FABRICATION SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND SPECIALIZED WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. LEASED OFFICE AND PRODUCT DESIGN WORK AREAS PROVIDE AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR START-UP BUSINESSES. PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND INTERNSHIPS PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT IN ADVANCED FABRICATION BUSINESSES.
  3. OPEN WORKS PROVIDES AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TOOLS, TECHNOLOGIES AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO USE THEM TO INDIVIDUALS, SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BALTIMORE AREA. ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED THROUGH MONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS AND INDIVIDUALLY PURCHASED DAY-PASSES. FABRICATION SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND SPECIALIZED WORKFORCE PROGRAMS. LEASED OFFICE AND PRODUCT DESIGN WORK AREAS PROVIDE AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR START-UP BUSINESSES. PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND INTERNSHIPS PREPARE INDIVIDUALS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT IN ADVANCED FABRICATION BUSINESSES.

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 March 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.