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School of Imagination Inc

EIN 20-8683005 · Dublin, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The School of Imagination continues to lead the way in inclusive early childhood education and multidisciplinary intervention for neurodiverse learners. Our mission remains unwavering: to bring out the extraordinary in every child. In 2024, we expanded access to services, advanced operational efficiency, and strengthened sustainability to meet the growing needs of families across the Bay Area and beyond.Our comprehensive care modelcombining education, behavioral health, and therapy servicesnow supports more than 700 children annually. Through a unified approach across our educational and clinical programs, we ensure continuity of care and measurable outcomes for each child.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
78
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$186,326, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 67 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% 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

    0 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $1.8 million spent. The School of Imagination's educational programs thrived in 2024, with continued innovation in curriculum design, teacher development, and classroom quality. We implemented new early learning frameworks in partnership with leading curriculum providers, improving structure and consistency across all classrooms.With small class sizes, low teacher-to-student ratios, and certified early childhood specialists, we continue to provide a nurturing environment for children ages 18 months to 5 years preparing them for lifelong success.Educator professional development remained a top priority, with expanded training in inclusive practices, communication strategies, and early literacy.
  2. $2.4 million spent. In 2024, Happy Talkers, our clinical services branch, continued to expand to meet the increasing demand for speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy. We strengthened our insurance partnerships, securing new contracts with multiple major payors, which allowed us to reach more children and reduce barriers to access.Behavioral Health services grew significantly through new team development, expanded supervision structures, and integrated training for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Our model of collaborative carepairing therapists, educators, and familiesremains central to achieving each child's individualized goals.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 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.