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The Pathfinder School Inc

EIN 20-8457978 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL IS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SERVING CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER INTELLECTUAL CURIOUSITY AND LOVE OF LEARNING WHICH IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SMALL CLASS SIZES, DEDICATED TEACHERS AND AN ENRICHING, RIGOROUS CURRICULUM. PATHFINDER DRAWS FROM THE FIVE COUNTY GRAND TRAVERSE REGION. APPROXIMATELY 25-33% OF THE STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. PATHFINDER ALSO HOSTS A SEVEN WEEK SUMMER CAMP THAT IS EXPERIENTIAL AND CHILD-CENTERED.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
76
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$58,270, head of school

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $2.0 million spent. THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL PROVIDES A VIGOROUS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES PRE-K THROUGH THE EIGHTH GRADE. PATHFINDER ALSO HOSTS AN OUTDOOR SUMMER DAY CAMP. PATHFINDER'S PROGRAM IS DISTINGUISHED BY STRONG MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS, BY A SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES A CHILD TO EXPAND HORIZONS AND TAKE RISKS, BY THE NURTURING OF STUDENTS' INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY AND BY THE CULTIVATION OF A LIFE-LONG LOVE OF LEARNING. STUDENTS LEARN TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, TO COLLABORATE, TO TAKE INITIATIVE AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND TO NURTURE THEIR CONNECTION WITH THE NATURAL WORLD.

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 July 2007.

    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.