World Builders Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
World Builders Incubator (WBI) is a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and is organized for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future federal tax code. WBI's mission is to speed the pace of progress with narrative arts, entertainment, and educational resources focused on social and environmental solutions. To achieve its mission, WBI brings thought leaders and creatives together through our core programs: the Story Arc, World Building Council, and our educational resources - the Wheel of Possibilities and Actions Library.
- Income
- $56,504
- Spending
- $48,212
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Highest pay
- $18,940, c.e.o. and president
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 (3)
- $14,299 spent. Narrative Change: WBI's 2-year, inspiration-to-distribution STORY ARC is designed to develop solutions-focused arts and entertainment in all genres of fiction and all narrative mediums. In March 2024, WBI formed a Beta Cohort with 7 writers to test our strategies for helping writers create solutions-focused stories. In 2024, the Beta Cohort created full drafts of: 2 TV/streaming pilots, 1 screenplay, 1 play, 1 musical, and 2 books. The beta projects have plots and/or worlds that uplift informed solutions for: climate change, immigration, mental health care stigma, patriarchy, disinformation, and more. During the year, 14 coalition members provided 129 hours of program input, including reading and editing drafts, and dramaturgical input. To further the development of one of the plays, WBI also produced 1 online reading with professional actors, dramaturgs, and the writer.
- $10,185 spent. Education: Currently in development, the searchable WHEEL OF POSSIBILITIES and ACTIONS LIBRARY are WBI's free online educational resources uplifting the work of hundreds of frontline thought leaders by detailing their solutions for environmental and social issues. In 2024, with 26.5 hours of volunteer editing from 3 coalition members, WBI created 2 beta pages of the Wheel and presented one of them at a conference to 150 colleagues and solicited feedback. WBI drafted 20 additional pages for the Wheel and gathered over 1,850 resource links for the Actions Library.
- $7,004 spent. Coalition: The WORLD BUILDING COUNCIL is WBI's braintrust, talent bank, and network. In 2024, there were 95 coalition members, of which 29 volunteered 188 total hours of network-building, expert input for programs, and organizational development expertise. To build Council participation, WBI presented at 3 conferences in 2024, reaching roughly 230 people.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in November 2025. It is too new to have a track record.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Home Builders Institute (Washington, DC), EIN 52-1266885. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.