Local Reporting Lab Initiative Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, LEARN AND PLAY IN AND AROUND BOULDER, COLORADO, WITH HIGHQUALITY, TRUSTWORTHY, LOCALFIRST REPORTING AND ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO MAKE SENSE OF ISSUES AND EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THEM, NAVIGATE THEIR LIVES AND BUILD COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $518,430
- Spending
- $270,197
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 48.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 1
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 48.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
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, 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)
- $54,348 spent. Expanded Boulder Reporting Lab's reach and readership through the BRL Today newsletter and website, which provide free daily local news and information. By the end of 2025, BRL reached more than 22,000 subscribers roughly half of Boulder households strengthening its role as Boulder's leading source of independent local journalism. The newsroom also fostered civic participation through coverage of local elections, community events, and opportunities for readers to share questions and ideas that helped shape reporting priorities.
- $108,695 spent. Produced deeply reported journalism on the most pressing issues facing Boulder County, including wildfire risk and resilience, housing affordability, homelessness, local government accountability, climate and environmental policy, and the future of federally funded science and research. Coverage included Boulder City Council and Boulder County Commission decisions, education policy, nonprofit governance, equity issues, major development debates, and the intersection of higher education, science and public policy. BRL's reporting informed community debate, helped residents better understand local decisions, and earned numerous state and regional journalism awards for excellence and impact.
- $54,348 spent. Focused on strengthening the newsroom's long-term sustainability and expanding its editorial capacity. The organization began implementing recommendations from a newsroom audit to grow revenue, improve performance tracking and strengthen communication with readers and supporters, helping lay the groundwork for more diversified income streams. It also launched a strategic planning process to create a clear roadmap for continued growth, stronger operations and long-term stability.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.