Groundwork Denver Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GROUNDWORK DENVER PARTNERS WITH YOUTH AND COMMUNITY TO BUILD A HEALTHY, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 60%
- Employees
- 114
- Volunteers
- 304
- Highest pay
- $78,300, executive di
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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $598,848 spent. GREEN TEAM YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM: GWD EMPLOYED 80 YOUTH WHO WORKED IN URBAN GARDENS AND ON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AS WELL AS HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING. AGES RANGED FROM 14 TO 26. THE OLDER YOUTH (AGED 18-26) WORKED AT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND ON OTHER PUBLIC LANDS. THE YOUTH AGED 14-17 WORKED ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS INCLUDING URBAN FARMING AND WATER QUALITY.
- $427,904 spent. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS: CONDUCTED DOOR-TO-DOOR OUTREACH SIGNING RESIDENTS UP FOR FREE ENERGY AUDITS, TREES, AND OTHER RESOURCES. WE COMPLETED 129 HOME ENERGY AUDITS IN DENVER AND COMMERCE CITY. LOW-COST AND MAJOR ENERGY UPGRADES, SUCH AS INSULATION OR ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, WERE INSTALLED IN MANY OF THESE HOMES.
- $283,754 spent. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS: VARIOUS PROJECTS TO PARTNER WITH YOU AND COMMUNITY TO BUILD A HEALTHY, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.
- $108,266 spent. URBAN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACCESS PROJECTS: WE MANAGED OUR HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE TO PRODUCE LOCAL HEALTHY FOOD. THE FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY VIA A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE MODEL AND DONATIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE PARTNERED WITH TWO OTHER LOCAL NON-PROFITS TO PILOT A SYSTEM TO PICK UP EXTRA PRODUCE FROM BACKYARD GARDENERS FOR DONATION.
- URBAN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACCESS PROJECTS: WE MANAGED OUR HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE TO PRODUCE LOCAL HEALTHY FOOD. THE FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY VIA A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE MODEL AND DONATIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE PARTNERED WITH TWO OTHER LOCAL NON-PROFITS TO PILOT A SYSTEM TO PICK UP EXTRA PRODUCE FROM BACKYARD GARDENERS FOR DONATION.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.