Words Alive

Analysis

Words Alive is a registered charity in United States, based in San Diego, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 1999, 27 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. 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 June 2023, Words Alive reported income of $3.1m and spending of $1.0m, leaving 68% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $687k to $3.1m (+351%), an average of +46% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 137%. Over the whole period it spent 60% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Words Alive sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 89th percentile, and in the 90th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Inc ($3.1m), Tricycle Foundation Inc ($3.1m) and Outlier Media ($3.1m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 95% and program service revenue 4.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $113k (11% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $449k. At year end it held assets of $3.0m against liabilities of $55k, net assets of $3.0m. It reported 18 employees.