Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Georgia Appleseed Inc

EIN 20-4036923 · Marietta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Georgia Appleseed is to keep children in school and on a path to success by providing legal services and representation, leading law and policy reform, growing a statewide community of advocates, and collaborating with children, youth, and their families.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
25.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
12
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$156,208, executive dir.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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. $623,365 spent. Program Service 1: School Justice (Systems Change):Georgia Appleseed works to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline through systems change that helps schools keep students in class, supported, and learning. We focus on school climate, access to school-based behavioral health supports, fair discipline practices, and reducing barriers that contribute to chronic absenteeismespecially for students in poverty, with disabilities, or otherwise facing discrimination or instability.Key activities and achievements:-Supported improvements in state and agency policies affecting school safety, student supports, attendance, and school climate.-Trained 1,100+ parents, educators, and youth-serving professionals to advocate effectively for children.-Convened and facilitated the Georgia Education Climate Coalition to align partners and advance shared solutions for student wellbeing and learning conditions.-Produced and disseminated multilingual guidance and toolkits to improve access to student supports and best practices.-Since our targeted school justice efforts began in 2010, there have been an estimated ~400,000 fewer out-ofschool suspensions associated with these efforts.
  2. $352,848 spent. PROGRAM SERVICE 2: FAIR (DIRECT STUDENT ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT):THROUGH FAIR (FAIRNESS, ADVOCACY, INDIVIDUALIZED REPRESENTATION), GEORGIA APPLESEEDCONNECTS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH ATTORNEYS AND TRAINED ADVOCATES TO SECUREEDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS THAT HELP CHILDREN REMAIN IN SCHOOL AND SUCCEED.KEY ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:-EXPANDED OUR STATEWIDE REFERRAL AND SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS NEEDING HELPNAVIGATING SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PROCESSES AND ACCESSING APPROPRIATE SERVICES ANDPROTECTIONS.-HELPED STUDENTS SECURE SUPPORTS THAT STABILIZE SCHOOL PLACEMENT AND IMPROVEATTENDANCE AND ENGAGEMENT.-RESTORED APPROXIMATELY 16,000+ SCHOOL DAYS FOR REFERRED STUDENTS DURING THE YEAR BYPREVENTING UNNECESSARY SCHOOL EXCLUSION AND SECURING NEEDED SUPPORTS. (FAIR PROTECTSAN AVERAGE OF 122 SCHOOL DAYS PER STUDENT.)
  3. $199,947 spent. Program Service 3: Housing Justice:Georgia Appleseeds Housing Justice initiative advances reforms that help children and families access healthy,stable housing. We facilitate collaborations, develop policy solutions, and equip communities with practical tools to reduce unsafe housing conditions and prevent housing instability that disrupts childrens education and wellbeing.Key activities and achievements:-Convened the Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition and developed Georgias first 10-year Strategic Housing Advocacy Plan.-Advanced housing protections and habitability standards affecting children and families statewide, and developed guides to assist judges in their implementation.-Produced educational materials and delivered tenant workshops to help families understand housing rights and available supports.-Expanded an eviction diversion program that has protected 3,000+ families from homelessness in one metro county.

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 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 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 December 2006.

    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.