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Nellie Mae Education Foundation Inc

EIN 04-2755323 · Quincy, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO CHAMPION EFFORTS THAT PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY GOALS THAT CHALLENGE INEQUITIES AND ADVANCE EXCELLENT, STUDENT-CENTERED PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL NEW ENGLAND YOUTH. THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED AS A MASSACHUSETTS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$40.9 million
Spending
$30.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
19
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$686,322, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 91% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $25.6 million spent. NELLIE MAE EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S ("NMEF", "NMEF'S", "THE FOUNDATION", "NELLIE MAE" HEREAFTER) GRANTMAKING STRATEGY FOCUSES ON ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE THE RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND. WE DO THIS BY BUILDING THE CAPACITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT QUALIFY AS PUBLIC CHARITIES (ORGANIZATION OR ORGANIZATIONS" HEREAFTER).THIS APPROACH REFLECTS OUR DEEP COMMITMENT TO ENSURE EVERY YOUNG PERSON HAS ACCESS TO EXCELLENT, RIGOROUS, AND RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT AFFIRM THEIR INDIVIDUALITY AND PREPARE THEM TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND CAREERS OF THE FUTURE. (CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O)ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED BY NELLIE MAE FOCUS ON EDUCATING WHETHER THAT'S AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, AN ORGANIZATION TRAINING INDIVIDUALS OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, INFORMING THE GENERAL PUBLIC, OR DEVELOPING AND SHARING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES. THIS WORK FALLS UNDER THE FOLLOWING FOUR PORTFOLIOS: CAPACITY BUILDING ACCELERATOR (P1), SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION (P2), STRENGTHENING COALITIONS (P3), AND INTEGRATED REINFORCING ACTIVITIES (P4). THE FOUNDATION ALSO GRANTS FUNDING FOR RAPID-RESPONSE AND EVENT SPONSORSHIPS.CAPACITY BUILDING ACCELERATOR (P1) CORE OBJECTIVE: STRENGTHEN THE ECOSYSTEM OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS TO SEE, UNDERSTAND, AND MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF STUDENTS.SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION (P2) CORE OBJECTIVE: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL, DISTRICT, AND STATE EDUCATION LEADERS WITH THE CAPACITY, STRATEGIES, AND RESOURCES TO ENACT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT ADDRESS OPPORTUNITY AND ACHIEVEMENT GAPS, ENSURING THAT EACH AND EVERY STUDENT BENEFITS FROM AN EXCELLENT PUBLIC EDUCATION.STRENGTHENING COALITIONS (P3) CORE OBJECTIVE: BRING TOGETHER EDUCATION LEADERS, EXPERTS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO BUILD SHARED GOALS AND SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AT THE LOCAL AND LEADERSHIP LEVELS TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY AND ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR ALL STUDENTS.INTEGRATED REINFORCING ACTIVITIES (P4) CORE OBJECTIVE: USE STORYTELLING, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNITY VOICES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS, SHINE A LIGHT ON COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS, AND BUILD SUPPORT TO ENSURE EACH AND EVERY CHILD HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND CARERS OF THE FUTURE.RAPID RESPONSE OUR RAPID RESPONSE FUND PROVIDES SHORT-TERM, TIME-SENSITIVE SUPPORT IN COMMUNITIES FACING A CRISIS THAT IMPACTS STUDENTS' ABILITY TO THRIVE. EVENT SPONSORSHIPS OUR EVENT SPONSORSHIPS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS, TRAININGS, CONFERENCES AND THE LIKE WITH A FOCUS ON THE SIX NEW ENGLAND STATES OR ARE OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT ADVANCE OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES: ELEVATING COMMUNITY-ROOTED SOLUTIONS AND INNOVATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.