Just a Start Inc

Analysis

Just a Start Inc is a registered charity in United States, based in Cambridge, MA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in May 1971, 55 years ago. Its declared purposes cover community improvement and capacity building, which this site groups under community and economic development. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Just a Start Inc reported income of $13.4m and spending of $8.8m, leaving 35% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $8.9m to $13.4m (+51%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 54%. Over the whole period it spent 93% of the income it received.

Among 19,475 United States charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, Just a Start Inc sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 95th percentile within MA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Good Vocations Inc ($13.4m), Wisconsin Operating Engineers Skill Improvement and Apprenticeship Fun ($13.4m) and Tennessee Technology Development Corporation ($13.4m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 53% and program service revenue 36% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $377k (4.3% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $4.0m. It paid $6,900 in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $69.2m against liabilities of $48.7m, net assets of $20.5m. It reported 61 employees.