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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2026 Expires: August 2028

Grassroots International

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
14 16
(617) 524-1400
867 Boylston Street, Suite 500 #1721
Boston, MA, 02116
https://grassrootsonline.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Grassroots International does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

GRI does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Included total projected program service expenses, however, did not break these expenses down by major program category (humanitarian/social justice and education).

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

GRI does not meet this Standard because the organization's 2023-2024 annual report did not include:

  • Financial information matching the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2024.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 6, 7

Grassroots International meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to connect with global movements that defend land, territory, water, food, seeds, and the Earth, to address the root causes of injustice and oppression, and build alternative systems that nurture human rights, ecological justice, and collective liberation."

Year, State Incorporated:
1983, MA

Grassroots International (GRI) reports that it partners with, funds, and works in solidarity with movements and organizations around the world in order to nurture sustainable and equitable relationships between people and the Earth with all its living systems. The organization reports that it focuses on supporting sustainable livelihoods by providing seeds and tools, with other basics necessary, for communities to control their own food systems and natural resources; movement building by nurturing leadership, especially among women and youth, and helping partners organize, advocate and communicate with their constituents, their governments and the world at large; defending human rights by protecting the civil and political rights of activists and provide legal aid during the inevitable clashes with power faced by activists everywhere; grassroots feminism by working to end patriarchy, achieve gender justice and build leadership by women and gender non-conforming people in grassroots communities of color; and healing and wellbeing by supporting community practices to address collective trauma, build connection and create spaces for rest, restoration, and sanctuary. GRI also states that it sponsors education programs, events, and publications related to its overseas grants program designed to increase awareness of, and involvement with, the organization's mission in North America.

For the year ended October 30, 2024, Grassroots International's program expenses were:

Humanitarian/social justice $11,528,396
Education $564,362
Total Program Expenses $12,092,758

Chief Executive
Chung-Wha Hong, Co-Executive Director

Compensation*
$149,416

Chair of the Board
Maria Aguiar

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Solidarity and Movement Organizer

Board Size
14

Paid Staff Size
25

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: Sara Mersha, Co-Executive Director, received total compensation of $130,592 in 2023.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements

Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,505,103, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Grassroots International's audited financial statements for the year ended October 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Individual and business grants and contributions $11,480,184
Investment return, net $1,727,394
Program service fees and other income $86,088
In-kind contributions $24,919
Total Income $13,318,585

Programs: 85% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $13,318,585
Total expenses: $14,253,532
  Program expenses $12,092,758
  Fundraising expenses $1,029,638
  Administrative expenses $1,131,136
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-934,947
Beginning Net Assets $23,657,578
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $22,722,631
Total Liabilities $1,519,145
Total Assets $24,241,776

Note: According to GRI’s audited financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $24,919 in the form of legal services.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance