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Design for America Inc

EIN 87-4502997 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

DESIGN FOR AMERICA INC. FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL TRAINING TO EQUIP COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH INNOVATIVE SKILLS TO ALLOW THEN TO TACKLE SOCIAL CHALLENGES ON CAMPUS AND BEYOND. IT DELIVERS EDUCATION AND TRAINING THROUGH A SIX-STAGE DESIGN PROCESS. FOLLOWING THE TRAINING, STUDENTS RECEIVE CONTINUED SUPPORT WITH REMOTE COACHING AND ADVICE AS THEY COMPLETE COMMUNITY PROJECTS. STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A LAUNCH PROCESS TO QUALIFY AS A DESIGN FOR AMERICA STUDIO. THE LAUNCH PROCESS INCLUDES STUDENTS SHARING THEIR SPECIFIC INTEREST WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S NATIONAL OFFICE THROUGH AN INTAKE FORM, RECRUITING OTHER STUDENTS FOR THE STUDIO, IDENTIFYING AN ON-CAMPUS FACULTY ADVISOR, LEARNING THE DESIGN FOR AMERICA PROCESS THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING, AND COMPLETING A COMMUNITY PROJECT.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$246,399, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 112% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 247% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 May 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. SEE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION STATEMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2024, 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 October 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    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 May 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in February 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.