Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MONTCLAIR FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE, INC.'S MISSION IS TO BOOST A HIGH QUALITY, INTEGRATED PUBLIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL 6,000 MONTCLAIR STUDENTS. BY PROVIDING GRANTS, RUNNING PROGRAMS, BUILDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND LEADING EVENTS, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HOLISTIC AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND FAMILIES.
- Income
- $624,763
- Spending
- $565,553
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 35.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 405
- Highest pay
- $92,159, executive director
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $97,791 spent. NAVEGADORES ESCOLARES - THIS PROGRAM MATCHES ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (STUDENTS) AND THEIR FAMILIES, WITH NAVEGADORES (NAVIGATORS) VOLUNTEER FAMILIES. THESE FAMILIES GIVE SUPPORT WITH SCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, REGISTRATIONS, ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT. WE HAVE SUPPORTED 130+ NAVEGADORES FAMILIES.
- $34,848 spent. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE GRANTS - MFEE AWARDS GRANTS TO MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF FOR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS THAT WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM. PROPOSALS ARE EVALUATED ON THE QUALITY OF THE APPLICATION, DEMONSTRATED NEED FOR THE PROJECT, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROJECT PRESENTS A CREATIVE WAY TO ENHANCE GRADE LEVEL CURRICULA AND SUPPORT CURRENT DISTRICT GOALS. PROJECTS FUNDED INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM INNOVATIVE TECH TOOLS TO HYDROPONIC GARDENING TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE WRITING PROJECTS.
- $34,000 spent. JUDY WESTON AWARDS FOR INSPIRED TEACHING - JOSH AND JUDY WESTON ESTABLISHED THE JUDY WESTON AWARDS FOR INSPIRED TEACHING IN 1991 TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO STAND OUT TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND STUDENTS AS CREATIVE, TALENTED, SUPPORTIVE, AND INSPIRING.
- $264,833 spent. SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GRANTS AND PROJECTS - SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL FACULTY FOR PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE STUDENTS' SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES, INCLUDING THEIR ABILITY TO MANAGE EMOTIONS, DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT STUDENT SELF-EXPRESSION.GREENWALD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS - GDP GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO MPS FACULTY FOR UNIQUE PD THAT STRENGTHENS THEIR SKILLS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. IT REPRESENTS A NEW IDEA THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TRIED AT ALL OR IN THIS WAY, AND/OR ADDRESSES A SPECIFIC, COMPELLING NEED. IT CLEARLY ARTICULATES THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY.EXCELLENCE IN EQUITY GRANTS - MFEE IS AWARDING ONE-TIME SIGNIFICANT GRANTS TO EACH OF THE MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF RACIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INEQUITY. PROPOSALS ARE EVALUATED ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROJECT, DEMONSTRATED NEED FOR THE PROJECT, AND DEMONSTRATED BUY-IN ACROSS A WIDE SWATH OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. APPLICATIONS MUST BE COLLABORATIVELY-SHAPED BY A DIVERSE GROUP OF SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS (WHERE APPLICABLE).ARTS OPEN HEARTS - MFEE LAUNCHED THE ARTS OPEN HEARTS CAMPAGIN TO FUND ARTS PROGRAMS THAT NURTURE SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL AND TEEN MENTAL HEALTH. DONATIONS FUEL BALLROOM DANCE RESIDENCIES, STORY SALONS, POETRY SLAMS, AND INTERGENERATIONAL STORY SLAMS THAT FOSTER CONNECTIONS, NURTURE SELF-ESTEEM, AND PROVIDE AN OUTLET FOR SELF-EXPRESSION.ENTRENADORES ESCOLARES PROVIDES AFTER SCHOOL BILINGUAL TUTORING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO MULTILINGUAL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. "ENTRENADORES" MEANS COACHES, AND THE MHS TEEN MENTORS HELP WITH HOMEWORK, PROVIDE EXTRA TUTORING, AND OVERALL BUILD FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ALL THE STUDENTS. ENTRENADORES ESCOLARES ALSO PROVIDES ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES TO THE STUDENTS.ORUGUITAS OFFERS BILINGUAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR OUR YOUNGEST ELL STUDENTS. THE GOALS ARE NOT JUST TO SUPPORT STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY BUT TO CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY. USING PLAY BASED ACTIVITES, K-5 STUDENTS WORK WITH INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING COACHES TO BOOST THEIR ENGLISH, MATH, AND SOCIAL SKILLS.TOAST TO TEACHERS/ TEACHER TRIBUTES - AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FAMILIES GATHER TO FUNDRAISE AND HONOR SCHOOL STAFF. DONATIONS RAISED FROM THIS EVENT FULLY FUND THE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE GRANTS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACADEMIC YEAR.FAMILY FEUD 2025 - THE MONTCLAIR FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE (MFEE) BROUGHT A NEW TWIST TO AN OLD CLASSIC IN SPRING TO THE MONTCLAIR COMMUNITY. MFEE'S VERSION OF A GAME SHOW FAVORITE HAD DREAM TEAM 'FAMILIES' WHICH INCLUDED 54 INCREDIBLE MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS AND 66 BELOVED COMMUNITY PLAYERS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN THE ULTIMATE BATTLE OF BRAINS, BUZZERS, AND BRAGGING RIGHTS. EACH 'FAMILY' TEAM COMMITS TO RAISE A MINIMUM OF $1250 FOR MFEE. THE EVENT ALSO SEEKS SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.SABOR MONTCLAIR - SABOR MONTCLAIR IS A FUNDRAISER THAT CELEBRATES THE UNIQUE "SABOR" THAT OUR LATINX COMMUNITY MEMBERS BRING TO MONTCLAIR. OUR FAMILIES HAVE HELPED DESIGN THIS EVENT WHICH FEATURES TASTY TAKE-OUT MEALS THAT HIGHLIGHT THEIR CULTURE AND FAMILY STORIES. TICKETS PURCHASED AND DONATIONS SUPPORT ALL OF MFEE'S PROGRAMMING AND TO HELP FUND NAVEGADORES ESCOLARES.JOHN JOYCE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FUND - THE JOHN J. JOYCE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) FUND WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE JOYCE FAMILY IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN - A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ADVOCATE FOR EQUALITY IN CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. DONATIONS FUND INITIATIVES TO TEACH ASL TO MONTCLAIR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING.JACKSON LIGHTFOOT WHITSETT MEMORIAL FUND AWARD - THE INAUGURAL RECIPIENT OF THE JACKSON LIGHTFOOT WHITSETT MEMORIAL FUND AWARD, WAS A MIDDLE SCHOOLER WHO RECEIVED A $100 CASH AWARD FOR EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF JACKSON LIGHTFOOT WHITSETT, FOR WHOM THE AWARD IS NAMED.JACKSON LIGHTFOOT WHITSETT ATTENDED GLENFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL, WAS ACTIVE IN DANCE AND CHEERLEADING AT MONTCLAIR HIGH SCHOOL, AND INSPIRED OTHERS TO UNAPOLOGETICALLY CELEBRATE THEIR UNIQUE IDENTITY. LIGHTFOOT WHITSETT CO-FOUNDED THE GLENFIELD GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (NOW KNOWN AS THE GNEDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCE). THE MEMORIAL FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2023 TO HONOR HIS LIFE AND LEGACY.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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