Cornerstone Craftsman Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE YOUTH WITH THE INSTRUCTION, TOOLS, AND MENTORING REQUIRED TO EARN A LIVABLE WAGE AND HAVE A VIABLE CAREER IN THE SKILLED TRADES.
- Income
- $388,291
- Spending
- $303,281
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $22,825, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 217% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $201,297 spent. CORNERSTONE CRAFTSMAN OPERATES A PRE-APPRENTICESHIP WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVING YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED AND AT-RISK COMMUNITIES IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN THE SKILLED TRADES, MENTORSHIP, AND CAREER READINESS SUPPORT TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY.IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 36 YOUTH, WITH 28 ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND MAINTAINING A 97% RETENTION RATE. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN HANDS-ON TECHNICAL TRAINING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, AND INDUSTRY EXPOSURE, EARNING CREDENTIALS INCLUDING OSHA-10 (30 YOUTH) AND CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS (27 YOUTH). THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOLISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE OBTAINING ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS, ENROLLING IN DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND COMPLETING REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER'S LICENSES. ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDED ACADEMIC TUTORING THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S LEARNING LAB AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD TO OVER 120 INDIVIDUALS TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY. CORNERSTONE CRAFTSMAN ALSO SUPPORTS COURT-INVOLVED YOUTH THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND ADVOCACY, HELPING PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES SUCH AS SUCCESSFUL PROBATION COMPLETION, ENTRY INTO APPRENTICESHIPS, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH ITS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, THE PROGRAM IMPROVES WORKFORCE READINESS, REDUCES RISK FACTORS SUCH AS JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT, AND CREATES PATHWAYS TO STABLE EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.
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
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.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.