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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2025 Expires: July 2027

Upstream Policy Institute

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7
(813) 445-8981
Post Office Box 1352
Damariscotta, ME, 04543
https://upstreamsolutions.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

Upstream Policy Institute does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

UPI does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

UPI does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although it produced a written effectiveness assessment report for its effectiveness assessment performed in January 2025, the report was not submitted for approval to the board of directors.

Upstream Policy Institute meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to spark innovative solutions to plastic pollution by helping people, businesses, and communities shift from single-use to reuse."

Year, State Incorporated:
2003, GA

Also Known As:
Upstream

Upstream Policy Institute (UPI) reports that it works to reduce waste and normalize the idea of reuse via evidence-based regenerative methods. Through its mission, the organization seeks to create environmentally friendly and local jobs, working simultaneously to encourage corporate entities to adopt a reuse policy. UPI states that its policy team supports 2,100 members within its Reuse Solutions Network, as well as more than 25 community coalitions across the United States and Canada to provide resources for local advocacy efforts.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Upstream Policy Institute's program expenses were:

Program services $1,161,777
Total Program Expenses $1,161,777

Chief Executive
Crystal Dreisbach, Executive Director

Compensation*
$59,815

Chair of the Board
Ashley Craig

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Independent Consultant

Board Size
10

Paid Staff Size
13

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

Note: Crystal Dreisbach began her tenure as Executive Director of UPI in August 2023. Chief Marketing Officer Vanessa Tiongson was the highest compensated employee in 2023, receiving $141,235 in compensation.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Print advertisements

Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,416,548, 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 Upstream Policy Institute's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Interest income $1,399
Other income $1,421
Program service revenue $17,500
Contributions $1,416,548
Total Income $1,436,868

Programs: 75% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 14%

Total Income $1,436,868
Total expenses: $1,547,487
  Program expenses $1,161,777
  Fundraising expenses $176,650
  Administrative expenses $209,060
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-110,619
Beginning Net Assets $1,275,913
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,165,294
Total Liabilities $106,417
Total Assets $1,271,771

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