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Homegrown Pathways Inc

EIN 93-3147660 · Ridgway, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOMEGROWN PATHWAYS WAS FOUNDED ON THE WESTERN SLOPE OF COLORADO WITH A MISSION TO DRIVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH QUALITY, REGIONAL CAREER PATHWAYS FOR RURAL YOUTH, INCLUDING ENTREPRENEURIAL PATHWAYS. WE BELIEVE THE ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGES OF BOTH INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND COLORADO BUSINESS SUCCESS RESIDES IN CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING HOMEGROWN TALENT INTO REGIONAL CAREER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PATHWAYS.

Income
$573,484
Spending
$368,691
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
7.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$122,270, founder and president

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 99% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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 (4)
  1. $280,100 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS - THE ORGANIZATION WAS LAUNCHED VIA A FEDERALLY FUNDED PLANNING PROCESS THROUGH THREE STATE-APPROVED, AMERICORPS PLANNING GRANTS (SERVE COLORADO), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 9 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, 6 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, AND THE LARGEST WORKFORCE CENTER ON THE WESTERN SLOPE. IN 2024, THIS PLANNING PROCESS LED TO THE DESIGN AND SUCCESSFUL PILOT OF A NEW YOUTH PRE-ACCELERATOR MODEL CALLED SPARK LAB. THROUGH SPARK LAB, HOMEGROWN PATHWAYS IS FOCUSED ON SERVING RURAL YOUTH, AGE 15-19. THE INTENDED OUTCOME IS A FUTURE WORKFORCE OF EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THE SELF-EFFICACY, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY. SPARK LAB UNIQUELY BRINGS TOGETHER A SET OF EXPERIENCES, RELATIONSHIPS AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ENTIRELY GROUNDED IN THE IDEAS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS POSITIONS THE MODEL AS A POWERFUL AND UNCOMMON TOOL FOR INDIVIDUAL PURPOSE EXPLORATION, ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET CULTIVATION, AND DURABLE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $32,635 spent. WEST CENTRAL - WEST CENTRAL PROGRAMMING IS SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SPARK LAB IMPLEMENTATION THAT WERE FOCUSED ONLY WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF MONTROSE, DELTA, GUNNISON, AND OURAY.
  3. $18,105 spent. YOUTH VENTURE FUND - HOMEGROWN PATHWAYS PROVIDED MICRO-GRANTS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PITCHED THEIR BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT VENTURE IDEAS THROUGH SPARK LAB, ENABLING THEM TO TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS ON THEIR IDEAS.
  4. $5,213 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - MESA COUNTY, WEST CENTRAL, YOUTH INTERNS.

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 March 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 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.