Upstream Works
Upstream Works Collaborative provides creative,accessible service solutions to help changemakers navigate complex challenges. We support grassroots leaders, community initiatives, and early-stage nonprofits by offering the critical infrastructure they need to focus on their mission and create lasting impact.
Upstream Works at a glance
In short: Upstream Works gave $92K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $91,500
- -71.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,438
- -64.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,700
- Total assets
- $962,813
- +152.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Upstream Works funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council Inc ($13K). Together the top 8 received $92K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 18 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2025) to $318K (2024). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $92K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council Inc Charlotte, NC | Project Support | $13,350 |
| Men and Women United for Youth & Families Delco, NC | Project Support | $13,025 |
| Kind Kitchen Group Durham, NC | Project Support | $13,000 |
| West Marion Community Forum Inc Marion, NC | Project Support | $12,900 |
| Toxic Free NC Durham, NC | Project Support | $12,500 |
| Gaston Family Health Services Inc Gastonia, NC | Project Support | $10,125 |
| Island Culturez Winston-Salem, NC | Project Support | $8,850 |
| Farmer Foodshare Durham, NC | Project Support | $7,750 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $962,813 | $1,657,868 | $1,079,908 | $91,500 | 8 | $70 |
| 2024 | $381,879 | $900,218 | $1,156,713 | $318,250 | 10 | — |
| 2023 | $634,573 | $839,413 | $444,176 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | $282,974 | $58,264 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $14,625 | $99,545 | $124,438 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $39,518 | $277,210 | $257,463 | — | — | $21 |
About Upstream Works
Based on IRS filings
Upstream Works is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chapel Hill, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $963K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $92K. Net investment income was $70.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Upstream Works is led by Linden Thayer, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Linden Thayer
Executive Director
President → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$40K (2024) → $40K (2025)
Beth Katz
President
President → At Large, 2022
At Large → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beverly Scurry
Vice President
Board Member → At Large, 2022
At Large → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Katz
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Dessauer
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvette Garcia Missri
At Large
Treasurer → At Large, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $40K, to Linden Thayer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Upstream Works
How much does Upstream Works give each year?
Upstream Works gave $92K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $318K across 10 grants.
What is Upstream Works's typical grant size?
Upstream Works's median grant in 2025 was $12,700, and its average grant was $11,438, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Upstream Works give grants?
Upstream Works gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (3 grants).
Does Upstream Works give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Upstream Works's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (8 grants).
Who are Upstream Works's largest grantees?
Upstream Works's largest 2025 grantees include The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council Inc ($13,350), Men and Women United for Youth & Families ($13,025) and Kind Kitchen Group ($13,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Upstream Works?
Upstream Works reported $963K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What is Upstream Works?
Upstream Works is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chapel Hill, NC. It holds $963K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Upstream Works's EIN?
Upstream Works's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5298960. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Upstream Works's focus areas in our free grants database
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Upstream Works down — hundreds of funders to go?