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Imagine Schools Inc

EIN 04-3466383 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMAGINE SCHOOLS INC.'S VISION IS FOR EVERY CHILD TO REACH HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL AND DISCOVER PATHWAYS FOR LIFE-LONG SUCCESS. AS A NATIONAL FAMILY OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL CAMPUSES, IMAGINE SCHOOLS INC.'S MISSION IS TO PARTNER WITH PARENTS AND GUARDIANS IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SCHOOLS THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF LEADERSHIP, ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND EXEMPLARY CHARACTER. IMAGINE SCHOOLS INC. PURSUES ITS MISSION UTILIZING THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: CREATE CHOICE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPHASIZE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AS THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LIFE-LONG SUCCESS ENCOURAGE INNOVATIVE TEACHING PRACTICES THAT INDIVIDUALIZE LEARNING ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RESULTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION (I.E. IMAGINE SCHOOLS MEASURES OF EXCELLENCE) SUPPORT PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL STAFF AS THE FRONT-LINE LEADERS AND DECISION-MAKERS, WHO BEST KNOW THE NEE

Income
$41.6 million
Spending
$26.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
2,156
Highest pay
$441,000, cfo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $19.3 million spent. TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATION TO STUDENTS. IMAGINE SCHOOLS INC. SERVED APPROXIMATELY 14,796 STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 ACROSS 28 SCHOOLS IN FIVE STATES DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 July 2015.

    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 November 4, 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.