Upward Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide low income, first generation students who attend selective colleges the skills and resources they need to succeed in college and graduate prepared for careers in competitive and high wage fields. To seek upward mobility for students and work to disrupt the racial equity wealth gap in Boston.
- Income
- $386,090
- Spending
- $420,187
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $100,889, executive director
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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 (4)
- $47,970 spent. Career Success. In the sumemr of 2024, 100% of Scholars (45 in total) were involved in a career-aligned summer experience. They ranged from studying abroad, research programs, internships, co-ops and classes. The organization supported a number of students with the upfront costs of participating in the opportunities, which included the cost of the program, transportation, housing, and materials needed to fully engage in the experience.
- $87,255 spent. Summer Intensive. New Scholars (14) participated in the two week-long intensive where they attended workshops, career trips, and actively engaged in career exploration. New scholars to the program get access to a new laptop, a book stipend, and money to buy professional clothing. 100% of cohort matriculated to college successfully.
- $128,587 spent. College Success. Scholars met with their College Success Program Manager every two weeks. They worked to secure an internship, attend a summer program, or take summer classes that are career aligned. The average GPA of the most recent cohort was 3.48.
- $12,832 spent. Other Programs included the Alumni Network. Alumni connections continue to thrive; programming includes access to a financial advisor for a year as well as a winter dinner reunion. Students have utilized their financial advisor to open up IRA accounts, transfer savings into high yield accounts, and plan for home ownership.
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 November 2020.
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.