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Genesee Community Charter School

EIN 16-1593234 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide a rich educational experience that values intellectual rigor, respect for diversity, and community responsibility.(Continued on Schedule O)Our local history-based and globally-connected program immerses children in investigation and discovery, extensively using the cultural and natural resources of our community. We nurture children's natural abilities to be reflective questioners, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers enabling them to reach exemplary standards.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
53
Volunteers
166
Highest pay
$65,319, school leader (thru 7/24)

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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.0 million spent. Genesee Community Charter School is located on the campus of the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Genesee Community Charter School enrolls approximately 212 students in kindergarten through sixth grades. As a charter school, Genesee Community Charter School is publicly funded and there is no tuition. Enrollment is open to all students who meet our age guidelines and a lottery is held in April of each year for incoming kindergarten students and for vacancies as they are available in first through sixth grades. Continued on Schedule OGenesee Community Charter School's curriculum focuses on local history and the natural world and-as an Expeditionary Learning school-students are immersed in three interdisciplinary learning expeditions each year. Classes frequently venture into the community for purposeful and rigorous field studies integral to their ongoing learning experiences. Music, visual arts, dance, and creative movement are integrated into the academic and social life at Genesee Community Charter School. The school is nationally recognized for its implementation of the Expeditionary Learning model and its approach to arts integration. Since it was founded in 2001, Genesee Community Charter School has been one of the most successful K-6 schools in New York as measured by the New York State Education Department's School Performance Index.
  2. $178,039 spent. GCCS offers breakfast and lunch daily to all students. Meals are delivered fresh every day by Julia K Caters, and are served "family style" in the classrooms. GCCS participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school meal program. At the start of each new school year, all students are sent an application for free and reduced meals and are encouraged to apply. Those students who qualify are offered meals at a reduced or no cost. Students that do not qualify for free or reduced meals have the option to pay full price, or may bring meals from home. GCCS will continue to encourage all families to participate in its meal program.
  3. $78,993 spent. GCCS has fully included our students with special needs. Speech/ language, occupational therapy, and counseling services are delivered both in and out of the classroom by professionals or staff from the child's district of residence. A special education teacher has been provided by the Rochester City School District for our students requiring resource room or consultant teacher services. GCCS has a special education coordinator who helps to maintain compliance with special education regulations. This person also works with teachers on academic intervention, and assists parents and staff through the CSE referral process. This person is also highly trained in the Wilson Language/Literacy Program, and works with small groups of students to enhance their reading levels.

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 January 2001.

    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.