Overview
What is Merit Incorporated?
Merit Incorporated is a nonprofit organization based in Monterey, California. Their primary objective is to provide employment opportunities for inmates, helping them gain work experience before reintegrating into society. They do this by employing and training young offenders in a maximum security institution, where they prepare surplus electronic equipment for wholesale, resale, reuse, and recycling. Additionally, Merit has conducted evaluations of programs designed to enhance the education of at-risk youth and prevent students from dropping out of school. The organization has fostered strong relationships with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and business partners to sustain their job training enterprise, offering assistance to CDCR in securing more support for young offenders upon release. In summary, Merit Incorporated's mission revolves around enterprise, research, and training to strengthen and reclaim young lives.
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: Needs Improvement (64%, Two-Star out of Four Star rating)
Merit Incorporated has received a Two-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a need for improvement. The overall score is derived solely from the Accountability & Finance category, where it scored 64%. This rating reflects critical areas such as governance and financial transparency, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in the organization's operations.
Strengths of Merit Incorporated include having a fully independent board, which consists of six members, and a robust conflict of interest policy. Additionally, the organization has demonstrated effective governance practices by maintaining policies on whistleblower protection and document retention. These aspects contribute positively to the nonprofit's accountability.
However, there are notable limitations in Merit Incorporated's financial performance. The organization faces a significantly high liabilities to assets ratio of 815%, which has negatively impacted its overall score. The program expense ratio stands at 58.13%, suggesting that a lower percentage of funds are being directed to programs compared to operational costs. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the organization in utilizing its resources for its intended mission.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Merit Incorporated legitimate?
Merit Incorporated is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Merit Incorporated submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $197,046
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What is the mission statement of Merit Incorporated?
Merit Incorporated's mission revolves around enterprise, research, and training, with a focus on strengthening and reclaiming young lives. The organization aims to provide job opportunities for inmates, offering work experience to help them transition smoothly back into society. They employ and train young offenders in a maximum security institution, preparing surplus electronic equipment for wholesale, resale, reuse, and recycling. Merit Incorporated also conducts evaluations of programs designed to enhance the education of at-risk youth, with the goal of preventing students from dropping out of school. Furthermore, the organization strengthens its relationships with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and business partners to sustain support for its job training enterprise, providing assistance to CDCR in their efforts to secure more support for young offenders upon release.
Who is the CEO of Merit Incorporated?
Tom Gammon is the Director of Merit Incorporated.
What is the revenue of Merit Incorporated?
Merit Incorporated's revenue in 2023 was $135,927.
Who are the executives of Merit Incorporated and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Merit Incorporated during 2023 was $10,947. There are 18 employees at Merit Incorporated.
Here are 5 key members and their salaries:
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Where can I find the form 990 for Merit Incorporated?
Merit Incorporated's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.
Mission Statement of Merit Incorporated
Merit Incorporated, a nonprofit organization, is committed to a mission that revolves around enterprise, research, and training. Their primary goal is to strengthen and reclaim young lives, particularly those who have been involved in the criminal justice system. To achieve this, Merit provides jobs to inmates, offering them work experience that can aid their transition back into society after serving their sentences. The organization employs and trains young offenders in a maximum security institution, where they prepare surplus electronic equipment for wholesale, resale, reuse, and recycling.
Additionally, Merit Incorporated conducts evaluations of programs designed to enhance the education of at-risk young people and prevent students from dropping out of school. This aspect of their mission reflects their dedication to not only rehabilitating individuals but also empowering them with the necessary educational skills to succeed in society. To sustain their efforts, Merit strengthens relationships with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and business partners. This collaboration ensures continued support for Merit's job training enterprise, and the organization provides assistance to CDCR in their attempts to secure more resources for young offenders upon their release.
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Impact
October, 2024
Merit Incorporated significantly impacts the lives of young offenders and the broader community through its innovative programs aimed at rehabilitation and education. By providing job opportunities within a maximum-security institution, the organization helps inmates gain valuable work experience that facilitates their transition back into society after incarceration. This approach not only equips them with practical skills but also instills a sense of purpose and responsibility.
The organization’s focus on preparing surplus electronic equipment for wholesale, resale, reuse, and recycling has dual benefits: it contributes to the environment and fosters a sense of accomplishment among participants. This hands-on training allows young offenders to learn about sustainability and the electronics industry, making them more competitive in the job market upon their release.
Moreover, Merit Incorporated conducts comprehensive evaluations of educational programs designed to aid at-risk youth, working proactively to prevent school dropouts. By strengthening ties with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and local businesses, Merit ensures sustained support for its initiatives, creating a robust network that benefits both individuals and the community at large.
Through its holistic approach to rehabilitation—embracing enterprise, research, and training—Merit Incorporated effectively reclaims and strengthens young lives, ultimately contributing to safer, more resilient communities.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Merit Incorporated. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.
- Investment Income: $3,200
- Program Service Revenue: $132,727
- Gross Receipts: $135,927
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $27,399
- Total Liabilities: $223,304
- Net Assets: -$195,905
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
SYSTEMS & MANUF TOOLS
Revenue
$132,727
Organization Details
Phone
(831) 277-9448Principal Officer
Tom Gammon
Main Address
P O BOX 3234, MONTEREY, CA, 93942
NTEE Category
Code: B30 - Education
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