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Makerusa Inc

EIN 87-3810812 · Ridgway, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAKERUSA'S MISSION IS TO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MOST MARGINALIZED BY UNEQUAL ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT THEIR GOALS TO LEVERAGE MAKER EDUCATION TO ENABLE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STEM CAREER PATHWAYS.

Income
$470,009
Spending
$258,787
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$84,462, co-founder and ceo

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    12 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 (4)
  1. $78,604 spent. TENNESSEE PROGRAM: THE TENNESSEE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON BROADENING ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE MAKER EDUCATION AND MAKERSPACES IN THE KNOXVILLE REGION. THIS INCLUDES COLLABORATING WITH KEY ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, KNOXVILLE, AND THE MAKER CITY.
  2. $41,731 spent. GENERAL PROGRAM: GENERAL PROGRAM FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MAKERUSA LEARNING NETWORK, A NATIONAL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE COMPOSED OF 30+ LEADING INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO SHARE THEIR WORK AND LEARNINGS, AND COLLABORATE ON SHARED CHALLENGES RELATED TO MAKER EDUCATION AND INCLUSIVE MAKERSPACES.
  3. $39,864 spent. GEOGRIA PROGRAM: THE GEORGIA PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON A COLLABORATION WITH THE ATLANTA-BASED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, STE(A)M TRUCK. MAKERUSA SUPPORTS THEIR EFFORTS TO BROADEN ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE MAKER EDUCATION THROUGH PROGRAM DESIGN, ADVOCACY, AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
  4. $11,501 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - COLORADO PROGRAM

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2024.

    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 August 2024.

    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.