IRS 990 Nonprofit Profile

Scratch Foundation

Scratch foundation (scratch or the foundation) is a powerful digital platform that inspires young people (8-16) to think critically and grow as creators. launched in 2007 by professor mitchel resnick and his lifelong kindergarten group at the mit media lab, scratch is rooted in decades of educational research. with scratch, kids create their own interactive games, animations, and stories while learning foundational coding concepts and computational thinking. scratch's open-ended interface encourages kids to explore their passions and express their individuality, while its global online community provides a space for sharing projects, learning from peers, and receiving feedback in a supportive environment. through this process, children develop critical life skills such as persistence, problem-solving, and collaboration. in 2019, scratch transitioned from mit to become the independent scratch foundation, transforming from a groundbreaking research project into a global phenomenon that supports tens of millions of young people in imagining, connecting, and creating. the scratch foundation is guided by three strategic priorities: (1) enhance and innovate the platform; (2) amplify impact; and (3) develop a sustainable business model. today, scratch is a leader in preparing young people for a future shaped by technology. as scratch approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027, its mission to "help children everywhere create what they imagine" has never been more critical. these young people are inheriting a world shaped by technology like never before. by centering children's digital learning, play, and well-being in everything we do, scratch offers an enriching space that nurtures creativity, encourages collaboration, and fosters a strong sense of community. scratch's impact extends beyond the platform. through partnerships with educators, nonprofits, and community leaders, the scratch education collaborative (sec) helps integrate scratch into a variety of learning environments, fostering equity and accessibility in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (steam) education worldwide. additionally, the scratch youth advisory board (yab) serves to incorporate youth perspectives into the platform's evolution. scratch foundation staff leverage the yab to directly involve young scratchers in shaping the platform and programs through focus groups, product co-design, and community-building activities. the collective impact of these efforts is a testament to the importance of scratch's mission to help kids everywhere create what they imagine. by engaging young people through the platform, supporting underserved communities via the scratch education collaborative, and elevating youth voices through the youth advisory board, scratch is creating a ripple effect that extends across the world. scratch isn't just a tool for codingit's a global movement that empowers children to think creatively, solve problems, and express their ideas through compelling projects. together, these initiatives ensure that scratch remains a leader in equitable steam education, inspiring a new generation to develop their creative talents.

Filing year

2024

Total revenue

$20.0M

Total expenses

$12.3M

Program expenses

$9.9M

Administration

$2.0M

Fundraising

$495K

Program share of expenses

80%

EIN

462612143

Location

New York, NY

scratchfoundation.org