Knowledge-First
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We provide Dropout Prevention Program to low income and homeless individuals who have experienced "personal hardships". We served 345 students an opportunity to obtain their High School Diploma so that they can become employable and/or earn a higher salary. This educational component is essential to them gaining needed skills that will allow them to be self-sufficient. These individuals become contributors to society. We also certified by the Texas Workforce Commission. We provided 185 low income individuals vocational training that allowed them to obtain a skill where they became self-sufficient and were able to earn employment.
- Income
- $140,950
- Spending
- $137,600
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 61%
- Highest pay
- $36,000, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 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 (2)
- $12,000 spent. Knowledge-First Empowerment Center provides educational services that inspire exceptionality while providing for the attainment of proficiencies that lead to lifelong resiliency. We provide various opportunities for learners to engage and contribute in higher level thinking activities as we fashion our academic and enrichment components to inspire critical and diverse thinking. These educational components augment the reasoning capability and maximize the unique potential of all learners. The Knowledge-First Empowerment Center's accredited high school program addresses the need of all learners, but most especially those who have experienced *personal hardship and who are NOW ready to maximize their potential! Our educational services fulfill course requirements and will enable our learners to earn a high school diploma or complete an alternative path to college by demonstrating college readiness. Any student who are between the ages of 16 and 65 qualify. As a member of the National Dropout Prevention Network, we provide maximum flexibility to meet individual student needs, including open entry to and open exit from program, a variety of instructional programming, including small group, online courses and multiple scheduling options, including weekend and evening classes. In addition to their classroom assignments, students devote at least four hours per month on volunteer community service opportunities and/or educational endeavors. In addition to helping students fulfill graduation requirements our program will expand our community's tax base by raising the standard of living of our dropout population, reduce the health costs that we all have to share, reduce the crime rate, reduce the drain on our public assistance program and increase voter participation. In meeting the needs of our learners, we offer instruction that combines both academic skills and vocational skills. Our model seeks to integrate academic and career-based skills and, thus, raise academic standards for all students. The goal is to improve student learning, keep students in school until they graduated, and to provide relevant experiences that integrate school-based and work-based learning. This provides the impetus for our school and the business community to collaborate in providing real world experiences.
- $15,000 spent. Since 2001, the Knowledge-First Empowerment Center has been specializing in preparing today's learners to meet today's educational and employment demands and the systemic challenges of tomorrow. Accredited by SACS and Advanc-ED in 2013, our High School Diploma/Dropout Prevention Project serves the community and students as: (1) Students fulfill graduation requirements and raise their standard of living and self-fulfillment, (2) School districts obtain a lower dropout rate, better disciplinary results and better test scores (3) Knowledge-First helps the community by providing a more educated and community-minded group of individuals (4) expanding our community's tax base by raising their standard of living, (5) reduce the health costs and (6) reduce the drain on our public assistance programs and (7) reduces the crime rate. In addition to classroom assignments, students devote at least four hours per month on volunteer community service opportunities and/or educational endeavors. Our team not only addresses the intellectual capacities, but moreover create an environment where education is characterize by the attainment of a variety of proficiencies that lead to lifelong resiliency. Each instructor are highly dedicated and committed to the effort of reducing the dropout rate by assisting our learners maximize their potential.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 October 2006.
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.
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.