Passes our checks

Phi Beta Kappa Society

EIN 23-7339609 · Houston, TX

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

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100.

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 52.5 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 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 59 out of 100.

Independent board
25 of 25
14 of 14 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$319,131 spent. TO ACHIEIVE THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IN THE HOUSTON AREA ARE AWARDED. SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENTS ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE COLLEGE WHICH EACH AWARDEE IS ATTENDING TO BE APPLIED TO TUITION. IN RARE CASES IN WHICH A STUDENT WOULD NOT BENEFIT FROM PAYMENTS MADE TO A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, A SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENT MAY BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT WITH EVIDENCE THAT THE STUDENT HAS INCURRED EXPENSES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES (TUITION, FEES, RENT, FOOD, LODGING, TRAVEL, COMPUTING EQUIPMENT, BOOKS, PARKING PERMITS, STUDY ABROAD, INTERNET SERVICE, COMMUTING EXPENSES, ETC.) EQUAL TO THE VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP. SEE RECIPIENTS LIST (EXHIBIT A).
$84,581 spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS, INCLUDING THE COST OF THE AWARDS BANQUET.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.