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Grassroot Givers Inc

EIN 80-0267317 · Delmar, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GRASSROOT GIVERS BELIEVES THAT DIGNITY BEGINS WITH THE BASICS. OUR PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT NEIGHBORS WHO ARE FACING HARDSHIP CAN ACCESS CLEAN CLOTHING, ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND BOOKS THAT SUPPORT LEARNING, COMFORT, AND HOPE. WE WORK TO CONNECT THE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THOSE WHO HAVE RESOURCES TO SHARE, CREATING A SPACE WHERE GIVING FEELS PERSONAL, COMPASSIONATE, AND DEEPLY MEANINGFUL.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$934,749
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
8
Volunteers
3,500

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $686,043 spent. CLOTHING PROGRAM:IN 2024, GRASSROOT GIVERS FILLED 10,400 CLOTHING REQUESTS FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS, SENIORS, AND NEWLY ARRIVED FAMILIES. MANY ARRIVE CARRYING DIFFICULT STORIES. A MOTHER ESCAPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. A FAMILY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. A REFUGEE CHILD PREPARING FOR A FIRST WINTER IN NEW YORK. EACH REQUEST IS PACKED WITH CARE TO ENSURE THAT RECIPIENTS RECEIVE CLOTHING THAT FEELS NEW AND RESPECTFUL. PEOPLE OFTEN SHARE THAT THIS SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS HELPS RESTORE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SENSE OF BELONGING.
  2. $192,273 spent. BOOKS AND LITERACY PROGRAMS:BOOKS ALLOW CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO LEARN, IMAGINE, AND FEEL CONNECTED. IN 2024, GRASSROOT GIVERS DISTRIBUTED 56,000 BOOKS TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND MAINTAINED 20 LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES IN ALBANY. TEACHERS RELY ON OUR DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE BOOK COLLECTION TO HELP STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN STORIES AND TO SUPPORT STUDENTS LEARNING ENGLISH. FAMILIES SHARE THAT THE BOOKS THEY RECEIVE BRING JOY AND ENCOURAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES.
  3. $5,234 spent. HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS PROGRAM:GRASSROOT GIVERS PROVIDED 468 FAMILIES WITH THE BASIC ITEMS NEEDED TO CREATE A SAFE AND FUNCTIONAL HOME. BEDDING, TOWELS, DISHES, AND SMALL APPLIANCES HELP FAMILIES REBUILD AFTER A CRISIS OR TRANSITION. CASEWORKERS TELL US THAT THESE SIMPLE ITEMS OFTEN BRING IMMEDIATE COMFORT. A CHILD SEES A BED MADE JUST FOR THEM. A PARENT COOKS THE FIRST MEAL IN A NEW APARTMENT. THESE MOMENTS REPRESENT STABILITY AND POSSIBILITY DURING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY.
  4. VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY:OUR VOLUNTEERS REMAIN THE HEART OF GRASSROOT GIVERS. THEY SORT CLOTHING, ASSEMBLE HOUSEHOLD KITS, WELCOME TEACHERS, ORGANIZE BOOK DONATIONS, AND OFFER KINDNESS TO EVERY VISITOR. THEIR COMMITMENT ALLOWS US TO RESPOND TO GROWING NEEDS WITH CARE AND DIGNITY.GRASSROOT GIVERS CONTINUES TO GROW BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF SIMPLE GIVING. EVERY COAT, EVERY BOOK, AND EVERY HOUSEHOLD ITEM BECOMES MORE THAN A DONATION. IT BECOMES A MESSAGE OF HOPE, BELONGING, AND COMPASSION FOR A NEIGHBOR WHO NEEDS TO KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

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 November 6, 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 August 2009.

    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 November 4, 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.