Urban Alchemy

The information for Urban Alchemy is as of the organization's most recent filing in June '21. This organization is located in San Francisco, CA. It has been in existence for 2 years, following its founding in 2019.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

Urban Alchemy's NTEE code is S99. The "S" tells us that the organization is classified under Community Improvement & Capacity Building. The "99" indicates that the organization falls under the category of Community Improvement & Capacity Building N.E.C. The NTEE describes this category as organizations that provide community improvement and capacity building services where the major purpose is unclear enough that a more specific code cannot be accurately assigned. Urban Alchemy is also classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, which means it is engaged in Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Public Safety, Amateur Sports, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals work. The mission of Urban Alchemy is to operate workforce programs in areas of civic engagement, urban street cleaning services, and reentry services.

Program Areas

Urban Alchemy employs former long-term offenders as "Urban Alchemy Practitioners" to provide clean and safe public facilities in urban areas, specifically in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This program aims to offer opportunities for former long-term offenders, reduce recidivism, and transform the energy of chaotic urban environments. Urban Alchemy Practitioners work in interim housing facilities and other urban spaces heavily impacted by homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. Their services range from cleaning the streets to monitoring public facilities, such as bathrooms and elevators, to ensure safety and cleanliness. As a result of their efforts, local communities have experienced significantly cleaner and safer urban environments. This program also helps practitioners feel more connected to their communities and empowers them to become productive and healthy members of society. Urban Alchemy operates in both San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Organization Staffing

Urban Alchemy is run by Lena Miller, who is the Chief Executive Officer. The organization has 1,038 employees, of whom only 1 is paid more than $100k per year. Supporting the paid staff are 5 volunteers.

Board Governance

Urban Alchemy, the provided non-profit organization, appears to be well-governed based on the available information. The organization has a small board of 5 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a balanced and diverse decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further enhances the integrity of the organization's governance structure. The fact that Urban Alchemy has not delegated management to an outside firm suggests that the board is actively involved in overseeing the organization's operations. This hands-on approach allows for greater transparency and accountability. Additionally, the documentation of board meetings demonstrates a commitment to record-keeping and transparency. While committee meetings are not documented, the presence of a conflict of interest policy and a requirement for disclosure of conflicts indicates that Urban Alchemy takes proactive steps to address potential conflicts among its members. This policy ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization and its mission. Furthermore, Urban Alchemy has a document retention policy, substantiates and reviews leadership and officer salaries, and provides copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing. These practices demonstrate a commitment to financial accountability and transparency. In conclusion, Urban Alchemy appears to have a well-governed structure, with an independent board, a conflict of interest policy, and various measures in place to ensure transparency and accountability. The organization's commitment to documentation, financial review, and disclosure further enhances its governance practices.

Organization Growth

Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit organization, has experienced significant growth over the given time period. Contributions & Grants Received increased from $8.8M in 2019 to $15.8M in 2020, indicating an increase in support from donors and funders. Program Service Revenue also saw a substantial increase, rising from $1.4M in 2019 to $12.1M in 2020, suggesting an expansion of the organization's programs and services. Investment Income also grew from $1 in 2019 to $360 in 2020, indicating successful financial investments. Additionally, Total Revenue increased from $36.0K in 2018 to $27.8M in 2020, highlighting the overall growth and financial success of Urban Alchemy. Total Expenses also increased from $9.2M in 2019 to $26.2M in 2020, possibly due to the organization's expansion and increased operational costs. The number of Total Employees also grew from 319 in 2019 to 1.0K in 2020, indicating an increase in the organization's workforce. However, the number of Total Volunteers decreased from 11 in 2019 to 5 in 2020, suggesting a potential shift in the organization's reliance on volunteers. Overall, Urban Alchemy has experienced significant growth in terms of financial resources, program revenue, and workforce size, indicating a positive trajectory for the nonprofit organization.