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Root Social Justice Center Inc

EIN 82-1917956 · Brattleboro, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 26% 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 Root Social Justice Center is a Vermont based, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color BIPOC led racial justice organization centering blackness. The Root prioritizes BIPOC people and their communities by shifting resources to BIPOC for leadership, connection, healing, education and the arts and supports BIPOC led racial justice movement work.

Income
$419,148
Spending
$523,003
Spent on programs
26%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
7

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    26% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. Youth 4 Change Youth 4 Change is a youth-led program based in anti racist principles working to dismantle white supremacy and other harmful structures and systems. Youth leaders of Y4C provide peer support to shift power, build leadership and develop voice throughout Youth communities most impacted by injustices we face today.
  2. Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Families United Families United is a peer support group for people/families who have been impacted by the child welfare systems and want to contribute to systemic and institutional changes. Members will share experiences, build relationships, discuss resources, and organize to influence change in the child welfare system, family court/law and other legislative systems.
  3. Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Soul Food Sunday Soul Food Sunday is an intergenerational affinity space for Black, Indigenous, People of Color BIPOC, non-white folx in Vermont and visiting the Brattleboro area to gather to share our food in a potluck style, our cultures, build relationships, celebrate ourselves and heal.
  4. Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Healing in Practice Healing in Practice is a collaborative multi-racial hangout by the Roots and our Racial Accountability Partners from Lost River Racial Justice. We intentionally create space for forming and strengthening multi-racial relationships and healing for our collective liberation.
  5. Program Service Expenses 133,587, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Root Community Space The Root community space prioritizes BIPOC-led needs, initiatives, and desires. We affirm our intersectionalities of being queer, trans and differently able in this space. The Roots space is available for use by people who align with our values. The Root is a physically and financially accessible space in southern Vermont for BIPOC folks and racial justice organizing and is a hub for social justice groups.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 December 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 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.