irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $192KBOOKS AND LITERACY PROGRAMS:BOOKS ALLOW CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO LEARN, IMAGINE, AND FEEL CONNECTED. IN 2024, GRASSROOT GIVERS DISTRIBUTED 56,000 BOOKS TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND MAINTAINED 20 LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES IN ALBANY. TEACHERS RELY ON OUR DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE BOOK COLLECTION TO HELP STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN STORIES AND TO SUPPORT STUDENTS LEARNING ENGLISH. FAMILIES SHARE THAT THE BOOKS THEY RECEIVE BRING JOY AND ENCOURAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES.
- #2 $5KHOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS PROGRAM:GRASSROOT GIVERS PROVIDED 468 FAMILIES WITH THE BASIC ITEMS NEEDED TO CREATE A SAFE AND FUNCTIONAL HOME. BEDDING, TOWELS, DISHES, AND SMALL APPLIANCES HELP FAMILIES REBUILD AFTER A CRISIS OR TRANSITION. CASEWORKERS TELL US THAT THESE SIMPLE ITEMS OFTEN BRING IMMEDIATE COMFORT. A CHILD SEES A BED MADE JUST FOR THEM. A PARENT COOKS THE FIRST MEAL IN A NEW APARTMENT. THESE MOMENTS REPRESENT STABILITY AND POSSIBILITY DURING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY.
named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Book Access Program
Distributes books through partnerships with schools, community centers, and the Albany Airport Reading Room; has shared over half a million books since inception
Book Bikes
Mobile library initiative sponsored by CDPHP that brings diverse books directly into neighborhoods
Clothing Program
Provides free, like-new clothing to over 600 people monthly, including children’s, casual, and career attire
HATAS Feed & Read Weekend Backpack Program
Partners with HATAS to provide 600 Albany City School District students with a book and food backpack weekly during the school year
Home Essentials Program
Supplies pots, pans, dishes, linens, and small appliances to help families transition into new homes; serves 380 families annually
Little Free Libraries
Maintains and supplies over 20 Little Free Libraries in the Albany area, sharing hundreds of books weekly
Month of Simple Giving
Annual November campaign where community groups collect and assemble essential goods; generates over $30,000 in goods and funds yearly
Pop-Up Shops
Community-based distribution events that expanded during the pandemic to reach more families in local neighborhoods
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
- Coordination of donation drives for community needsHas coordinated collection of money, clothing, household goods, and books since 2009 for redistribution to individuals and families in the Capital Region, including through annual initiatives like the Month of Simple Giving which generates $30,000 worth of necessities.
- Free distribution of clothing to individuals and familiesProvides like-new clothing at no cost to over 600 individuals per month, including children's wear and adult casual and career attire. Fulfilled 10,800 clothing requests in 2025 and supports approximately 8,250 individuals annually through its Clothing Program and partner collaborations.
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Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
- Community book distribution and literacy supportDistributes books through multiple channels including the HATAS Feed & Read Weekend Backpack Program (600 students weekly), Little Free Libraries (20+ locations, hundreds distributed weekly), and student-led book drives. Distributed over 500,000 books since founding, including 56,000 in one year and 72,000 in 2025 alone.
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Community engagement and partnership developmentEngages in relationship-building with public leaders and community partners to expand impact and improve service delivery to families in the Capital Region.
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Furniture and Household Essentials Provision 1 activity
- Distribution of household essentials to families in needProvides home essentials such as cookware, bedding, linens, towels, dishes, and small appliances to support health, dignity, and stability—particularly for families transitioning into new housing. Supported 380–611 families annually, including through the Community Free Store and pop-up shops.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer coordination to support community programsRelies on and mobilizes volunteers to support the delivery of services across literacy projects, academic programs, nonprofits, and direct aid initiatives in the Capital Region.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.15M
Contributions & grants$925K81%
Program service revenue$210K18%
Investment income$8K1%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$935K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$238K
Grants paid out$597K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.04M
Cash$449K
Investments$0
Liabilities$333K
Net assets$706K
Liquid reserves5.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +36.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 8
- BRADLEY SMITH — TREASURER
- CAREY FUSCO — MEMBER
- DEBORAH LIEBMAN — PRESIDENT
- JAMES BILIK — VICE PRESIDENT
- KATHERIN WENTWORTH-PING — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL JOHNSON — MEMBER
- NATALIE MANTEY — MEMBER
- YOLANDA KIRBY — MEMBER
relationships · 52
Who they work with
- ACAP – Head Start Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Albany (NY) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Albany City School District Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Albany College of Pharmacy Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Albany International Academy Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- All Saints Church – Angels to Each Other Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Bethlehem Central Schools Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Bethlehem High School Partner — Hosted a book drive in partnership with student clubs to collect children's books for Grassroot Givers' literacy programs.
- Boy Scouts – Twin Rivers Council Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Capital District Food Pantries Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Capital District Women's Bar Association Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Center for Internet Security Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region Funder — Financial partner supporting community programs
- Community Reformed Church of Colonie Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Community Resource Federal Credit Union Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Cornerstone Campus Ministry Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Downtown BID – Tricentennial Park Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Dress for Success Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Food Pantries for the Capital District Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Frank Chapman Memorial Institute Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Girl Scouts – Northeastern Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Greater Albany Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Green Tech Charter School Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Guilderland Public Schools Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Healthy Alliance Network — Member of the Healthy Alliance network to address social determinants of health including housing, clothing, and home essentials.
- Homeless and Travelers Aid Society Partner — Partnership to provide books and weekend food backpacks to 600 students in the Albany City School District.
- Innovative Resources Group Partner — Collaborating organization supporting community programs
- Key Club Partner — Co-organized a book drive with Sources of Strength Club at Bethlehem High School to collect children's books for Grassroot Givers.
+ 22 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collective Impact Through Community Partnerships 47 orgsmethodology: collective_impactBy building networks with public leaders and community organizations, the organization increases its reach and effectiveness in serving vulnerable families, because coordinated partnerships enable more comprehensive and stable support systems.shared approach: Community-Embedded Trust Model →
- Community-Led Mutual Aid and Resource Redistribution 47 orgsmethodology: mutual_aidBy mobilizing community members to lead giving efforts and redistribute existing resources (e.g., donated goods, books), the organization strengthens local resilience and compassionate relationships, because neighbor-to-neighbor support rooted in shared culture increases engagement and sustainability.shared approach: Community-Embedded Trust Model →
- Literacy Promotion via Community Book Access 12 orgsmethodology: literacy-through-distributionBy distributing books through donation programs and Little Free Libraries, the organization promotes literacy and a love of reading, because accessible, low-barrier book availability supports learning and developmental well-being in children and families.shared approach: Book Ownership as Empowerment →
- Dignity-Centered Support Through Basic Needs Provisionmethodology: dignity-centered_careBy providing access to basic necessities such as clothing, books, and household items, the organization fosters dignity, emotional well-being, and literacy, because meeting material needs is foundational to personal empowerment and community health.