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Passback

EIN 93-2313909 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PASSBACK UPCYCLES TEAM SPORTS GEAR, SO EVERY KID CAN PLAY. OUR VISION IS TO CREATE A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR SPORTS GEAR AND TEXTILE, ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OUR PRIMARY PROGRAMS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND EDUCATION & ADVOCACY.

Income
$416,150
Spending
$222,448
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
15.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
1
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$11,500, executive director/founder

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 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 159% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 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

    6 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 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)
  1. $187,530 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Passback's Community Development program collects, refurbishes, and redistributes new and gently used sports equipment to schools, nonprofit organizations, and community programs serving youth and families with limited access to sports gear. By providing essential equipment, the program reduces barriers to participation in organized sports and enables community organizations to direct limited resources toward other critical needs. During the year, Passback partnered with more than 50 schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations and redistributed more than $250,000 of sports gear, measured at fair market value, to organizations serving athletes in need. Through these activities, Passback promotes equitable access to sports, strengthens community-based programs, and supports healthier and more resilient communities.
  2. $5,333 spent. SUSTAINABILITY: Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, Passback's Sustainability program works to extend the useful life of sports gear and textiles and reduce the amount of sports-related materials sent to landfills. The program combines research, material recovery, reuse, and community engagement to address materials such as plastic, metal, and rubber that are often difficult to recycle through traditional systems. During the year, Passback diverted more than 11 tons of plastic, metal, and other sports-related materials from landfills and returned usable sports equipment to circulation through its collection and redistribution activities. Passback also advanced sustainability practices through waste-reduction initiatives, sustainable purchasing strategies, partner engagement, and research focused on the environmental impacts and lifecycle of sports gear. These activities support a circular economy for sports gear, conserve resources, and reduce waste associated with sports participation.
  3. $2,581 spent. EDUCATION & ADVOCACY: Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, Climate Action, Passback's Education & Advocacy program raises awareness of the environmental and social impacts of sports consumption and promotes responsible practices among athletes, families, schools, sports organizations, businesses, and community members. The program educates stakeholders about resource efficiency, reuse, waste reduction, sustainable disposal, and the connection between sports consumption and broader environmental challenges, while highlighting the disproportionate effects of environmental and climate-related challenges on underserved communities. During the year, Passback engaged and educated thousands of people through local and international community outreach, educational initiatives, partnerships, and advocacy activities. Passback also participated in research and collaborative sustainability initiatives intended to increase understanding of the lifecycle impacts of sports gear and identify opportunities for broader systems change. Through these activities, Passback encourages individuals and organizations to make more sustainable choices and supports collective action toward a healthier and more equitable future.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 September 2023.

    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 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.