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Finding Our Stride

EIN 83-3151412 · Norwich, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION: EMPOWERING UPPER VALLEY YOUTH THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL RUNNING PROGRAMS, FINDING OUR STRIDE BOOSTS FITNESS, SELF-ESTEEM AND RESILIENCE, AND CONNECTS KIDS TO PEERS, MENTORS AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$226,317
Spending
$376,209
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
4
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$108,333, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $122,246 spent. SPRING 2025 PROGRAMMING: SPRING SEASON PROGRAM COST INCLUDES STIPENDS FOR 79 COACHES SERVING 487 STUDENTS IN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AT 23 PARTNER SCHOOL SITES IN THE GREATER UPPER VALLEY REGION OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. YOUTH AT EACH SCHOOL SITES PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS. COST INCLUDE PROVIDING HEALHTY SNACKS, AND FREE RUNNING SHOES TO YOUTH IN NEED. THESE ARE PROGRAM EXPENSES ONLY, NO ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
  2. $131,587 spent. FALL 2025 PROGRAMMING: FALL SEASON PROGRAM COSTS INCLUDE STIPENDS TO SUPPORT 96 COACHES SERVING 642 STUDENTS IN OUR AFTERSCHOL YOUTH WELLNESS PROGRAMS AT 25 PARTNER-SCHOOL SITES IN THE UPPER VALLEY REGION OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. COST INCLUDES YOUTH PARTICIPANTS PARTICIIPATION IN CHAD HERO FUN RUN, EXPANSION TO NEW PROGRAM SITES, FREE RUNNING SHOES FOR YOUTH IN NEED AND HEALTHY SNACKS. THESE ARE PROGRAM EXPENSES ONLY, NO ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
  3. COACHES' TRAINING SESSION AND RESOURCES: NEW TRAINING RESOURCES WERE DEVELOPED WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL CURRICULUM AND AFTERSCHOOL SESSION PRACTICE PLANS TO INCORPORATE FITNESS, PEER SUPPORT, AND SOCIAL EMATIONAL GROWTH. NEW IN-PERSON TRAINING SESSIONS WERE CONDUCTED FOR COACHES AT THREE REGIONAL SITES ACROSS THE GREATER UPPER VALLEY. THESE ARE PROGRAM EXPENSES ONLY, NO ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

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 August 2019.

    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.