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Willowwind School

EIN 23-7411810 · Iowa City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WILLOWWIND SCHOOL IS A JOYFUL LEARNING COMMUNITY WHERE CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR UNIQUE POTENTIAL THROUGH CHILD-LED INQUIRY.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
-9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
57
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$119,217, 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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 8% 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

    2 of 20

    It owes 83% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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. $909,856 spent. ACADEMIC PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL THROUGH 6TH GRADE. LATE AUGUST THROUGH LATE MAY. FROM 8:00 / 8:15 AM - 3:15 / 3:30 PM. AT WILLOWWIND, WE BELIEVE PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH ART IS IMPERATIVE FOR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC GROWTH.
  2. $165,791 spent. SUMMER PROGRAM IS FOR CHILDREN GRADES PRESCHOOL THROUGH 6TH GRADE. SUMMER AT WILLOWWIND SCHOOL IS AN ENGAGING AND ENRICHING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN. IT IS DESIGNED TO SUIT A WIDE VARIETY OF INTERESTS BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND PLAY THROUGH NATURE, ARTS, STEM, THEATER, AND MORE.
  3. $102,776 spent. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS FOR CHILDREN GRADES PRESCHOOL THROUGH 6TH GRADE. SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES, AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED. FROM 7:30-8:30AM AND 3:00-6:00PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

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 November 6, 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 November 1975.

    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 November 4, 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.