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Playing at Learning

EIN 20-1241878 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Educational enrichment for children, using technology. Inspire students to explore and understand educational and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Income
$616,133
Spending
$510,013
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
6
Volunteers
2,500

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 31, 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 (6)
  1. $93,845 spent. Northern California FIRST LEGO League - Provided infrastructure for FIRST LEGO League Challenge program, including tournament organization and operation, training and outreach. Supported approximately 6000 children ages 9-14.
  2. $218,980 spent. The Play Space - A 13,000 square foot facility that serves as a meeting space, workspace, hacker space, practice facility for area FIRST teams. It hosted several events, including coach trainings, program kickoff events, coach/mentor training, FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge tournaments, and meetings for regional engineering & technology advocacy groups
  3. $124,981 spent. Northern California FIRST Tech Challenge - Provided infrastructure for FIRST Tech Challenge, including tournament organization and operation. Supported approximately 1800 7th to 12th grade students
  4. $9,024 spent. FIRST LEGO League Explore - infrastructure and program operation of festivals for teams. Robotics Camps - 6 -7 weeks annually of enrichment camps for students during summer months
  5. robotics camps/classes
  6. $630 spent. STEM outreach efforts

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 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 May 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 August 2004.

    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.