The Welman Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Welman Project is on a mission to fill a classroom, not a landfill. We provide free supplies and support to teachers, along with the training, tools, and workspace they need to engage students in vital hands-on learning. The result is a community where waste is reduced, the burden on teachers is lessened, and creativity and ingenuity thrive in the classroom.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 818
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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $3.0 million spent. With our educator resource program, we're tackling two big issues in our community - waste output generated by businesses and lack of resources in our schools - with one innovative solution: creative reuse. We collect surplus materials from companies and donate those items to classrooms, working one-on-one with teachers to provide free, curriculum-enhancing repurpose alternatives to purchasing new supplies. Providing free materials for their classroom provides immediate relief to teachers, giving them meaningful community support and significant cost savings to be able to stay on the job, and enabling them to focus on student outcomes rather than struggling to get the supplies they need. The teachers we serve overwhelmingly report feeling less stressed and better prepared to address their student's needs, both because of the ideas and materials received and the encouragement of coming to a place where they feel supported by the community. By enabling educators to utilize readily-available resources from the community rather than relying on the purchase of expensive educational materials, we're removing the district red tape and financial disparities that contribute to teacher burnout and inequity across our schools, leading to better outcomes for students long-term. In 2024, we kept 281 dumpsters worth of material from going to the landfill, served 6,588 educators, and distributed $2.7 million worth of supplies to schools.
- $188,762 spent. Our creative reuse education program helps teachers bring hands-on, open-ended learning to the classroom, building complex problem-solving and critical thinking skills by challenging students to experiment, design, and see things in a different way. With free access to power tools, crafting equipment, and design software, teachers can create an engaging learning environment and hands-on, creative projects for their students without budget limitations standing in their way. Teachers from across districts, grade levels, and subjects are able to collaborate and exchange ideas, and retired teacher and craftsman volunteers provide inspiration and guidance during our open makerspace hours. In our professional development workshops, we provide teachers with training and materials for unique projects, along with guidance on utilizing creative reuse to make their daily STEAM curriculum more hands-on without having to spend money on supplies. In 2024, 2,375 individuals engaged in a creative reuse class, workshop, or event, and over 700 students participated in our annual recycled art exhibit, practicing teamwork and creativity while learning about waste reduction.
- $127,209 spent. Through our creative reuse community marketplace, we're reducing waste and making artistic pursuits more accessible by selling affordable secondhand arts and crafts materials both in person and online. In our creative reuse storefront, the Curiosity Shop, artists and makers can find the supplies they need along with unique materials they can't get elsewhere, and kids are able to dream beyond the generic craft kit with our fill-a-bag section of unusual treasures to create with. The community is also able to support local artists in our consignment section, which features art and handmade goods using repurposed materials. We served over 2,847 families and individuals through this program in 2024. We also educate the public about the importance of reducing waste and how they can creatively reuse common materials through presentations to groups and booths at community events, reaching thousands more individuals.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.