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Bounce Innovation Hub

EIN 82-3351373 · Akron, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BOUNCE CATALYZES ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION BY PROVIDING CONNECTIONS, RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO BUILD A VIBRANT COMMUNITY FOR ALL. BOUNCE PROVIDES SERVICES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EARLY STAGE AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
26
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$247,625, ceo

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 61% 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $1.7 million spent. ENTREPRENEURIAL SERVICE PROVIDER (ESP) PROGRAM:BOUNCE'S ESP PROGRAM OFFERS AFFORDABLE OFFICE, LAB, AND LIGHT MANUFACTURING SPACE COUPLED WITH EXPERT BUSINESS COUNSELING AND ADVISING, MENTORING SERVICES, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THE ESP PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES ADVISING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COACHING, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO EARLY STAGE SOFTWARE COMPANIES IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING AND LAUNCHING THEIR FIRST MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT. IN 2024, THE ESP PROGRAM AT BOUNCE SERVED 74 CLIENTS.
  2. $996,136 spent. PLACE AT BOUNCE:BOUNCE INNOVATION HUB IS A COMMUNITY-FACING DESTINATION THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC COWORKING SPACE, PRIVATE OFFICES, RESERVED DESKS, CONFERENCE ROOMS, EVENT AND CLASSROOM SPACE, BUSINESS INCUBATION SPACE INCLUDING LABS, OFFICES, AND LIGHT MANUFACTURING SPACE, AND THE GROUND FLOOR CAF. IN 2024, OVER 14,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE BOUNCE FACILITY FOR EVENTS, NETWORKING, PROGRAMMING, AND MEETINGS WITH RESIDENT COMPANIES. AT THE END OF THE YEAR, 70% OF THE INCUBATOR SPACE WAS OCCUPIED, HOUSING 37 TENANTS. THE COWORKING SPACE HOUSED 28 MEMBERS, WITH NEARLY 400 DAY PASSES SOLD. BOUNCE'S PLACE STRATEGY IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER ENTREPRENEURS, SMALL BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, UNIVERSITIES, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND FACILITATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS THAT CATALYZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $165,130 spent. OTHER ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMMING & ECOSYSTEM WORK:IN ADDITION TO THE ESP PROGRAM, BOUNCE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF OTHER ENTPRENEURIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDING OUR BEYOND STARTUP WORKSHOP SERIES. BEYOND STARTUP OFFERS BI-WEEKLY ACCESSIBLE WORKSHOPS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. IN 2024, BOUNCE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF AKRON, AKRON URBAN LEAGUE, AND WESTERN RESERVE COMMUNITY FUND TO LAUNCH THE SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE (SBI). UNDER SBI, BOUNCE PROVIDED FREE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO ENTREPRENEURS LOCATED IN QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACTS IN THE CITY OF AKRON. FURTHER, BOUNCE LEADS THE GREATER AKRON ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM (SPARK AKRON) UNDER THE REGION'S SHARED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY "ELEVATE GREATER AKRON". SPARK CONVENES TWO DOZEN ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS IN GREATER AKRON WHO WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN THE COLLECTIVE SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE REGION'S ENTREPRENEURS.
  4. $71,381 spent. GROW:BOUNCE'S GROW PROGRAM SERVES SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH COHORT TRAINING CLASSES, ONE-ON-ONE BUSINESS COUNSELING, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THE GROW PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON SERVING MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED AS BUSINESS OWNERS.

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 2018.

    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.