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Groundwork Ohio River Valley Inc

EIN 84-2991804 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM REVITALIZATION AND CARE OF NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT EQUIP RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
213
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$89,003, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 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 June 30, 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. $547,420 spent. GREEN CORPS: GROUNDWORK'S GREEN CORPS PROGRAM TRAINS YOUNG ADULTS FROM THE CITY IN TECHNICAL TRADES AND LAND MANAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS IN AREAS LIKE WATER SYSTEM MONITORING, FACILITY EFFICIENCY AND SITE MAINTENANCE. THE PROGRAM CONNECTS PARTICIPANTS WITH LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE, LANDSCAPING AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE - EQUIPPING THEM WITH PRACTICAL SKILLS THAT BENEFIT BOTH THEIR CAREERS AND THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $639,894 spent. GREEN TEAM: THE GREEN TEAM TRAINS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN FIELDS SUCH AS LANDSCAPING, PARK MAINTENANCE AND CITY SERVICES. BY WORKING DIRECTLY TO IMPROVE AND CARE FOR TRAILS, PARKS, AND PUBLIC SPACES, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP PRACTICAL JOB SKILLS AND GAIN EXPERIENCE THAT PREPARES THEM FOR FUTURE CAREERS IN PUBLIC WORKS AND RELATED INDUSTRIES.
  3. $636,137 spent. CSN: IN COLLABORATION WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, WE FORM NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY GROUPS (CAGS) TO HELP ADDRESS RECURRING ISSUES SUCH AS HEAT AND FLOODING, BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY, AND SUPPORT PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 2020.

    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.