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Passes our checks

Upstream Works

EIN 82-5298960 · Chapel Hill, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Upstream Works Collaborative provides creative,accessible service solutions to help changemakers navigate complex challenges. We support grassroots leaders, community initiatives, and early-stage nonprofits by offering the critical infrastructure they need to focus on their mission and create lasting impact.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
3
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$40,026, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 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. $656,411 spent. Comm Food Strat: Community Food Strategies facilitates the creation of food councils across the state, to give individuals the opportunity to influence thefood system specific to their community. CFM builds networks, shares resoruces, provides training and support, and engages in storytelling to amplify impact. In 2025, CFM supported and engaged with 2365 people and 60 food councils in NC.
  2. $126,950 spent. CORE: The Collective on Racial Equity in Food Systems (CORE) is a North Carolina-based, Southern-focused initiative that centers racial equity within agriculture, food systems, and land-based work. CORE engages farmers, organizations, and institutions across the state in collective learning, capacity building, and collaborative action that transforms food and farming systems. 2025 was a year of transition, but CORE did reach 400 individuals as it worked to transform its projects and offerings to meet the needs of the moment in 2026 and beyond. They also partnered with Community Food Strategies on several projects, soadditional impact is described above.
  3. $167,089 spent. Rainbow Collective for Change: RCC is a collective of LGBTQIA+ families, community members, and organizations working together to build affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ families and children ages 0-12. In 2025, RCC reached 4090 individuals through community programs in the Twin Cities and North Carolina, education programs throughout the United States, and an Out & About Book Bus that can travel throughout Minnesota.
  4. $72,876 spent. Other Programs: Akalaka, All Neurotypes, Appropriate Sanitation Inst. Circular Triangle, Constellation Collective, DCo Thrives, Seen & Heard
  5. Other Programs: Akalaka, All Neurotypes, Appropriate Sanitation Inst. 72876. 0. 197125.

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 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 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 May 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 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.