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Regional Innovation and Startup Education Inc

EIN 81-1242098 · Mishawaka, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 33% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE RISE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MENTOR AND EDUCATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HOW TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS AND BEGIN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES IN ORDER TO STIMULATE THE LOCAL BUSINESS SECTOR.

Income
$872,139
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
33%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
19
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$189,342, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    33% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (2)
  1. $21,995 spent. RISE IS COMMITTED TO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT TO THE REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM. RISE HAS DESIGNED ACCREDITED PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION AND PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL FRAMEWORK AND SKILLS FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES TO FURTHER EXPLORE AND DEVELOP THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL ASPIRATIONS AND PURSUITS.
  2. $312,291 spent. STARTUP MOXIE, A FLAGSHIP RISE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE SOUTH BEND-ELKHART REGION, EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS, DISCOVER PERSONAL PASSIONS, AND BUILD MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS. THE YEAR-LONG, DUAL COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS A HANDS-ON IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE TO DEVELOP AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET AND SKILLS TO CREATE AND LAUNCH THEIR OWN BUSINESS STARTUPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 May 2017.

    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.