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The Foundation Schools

EIN 23-7425256 · Uppr Marlboro, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SCHOOLS ARE NONPROFIT SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY SCHOOLS WITH A MISSION TO PROVIDE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED EDUCATIONAL AND THREAPEUTIC PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IDENTIFIED WITH EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS THOSE WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND LEARNING CHALLENGES, PREPARING THEM TO BE LIFELONG LEARNERS.

Income
$25.8 million
Spending
$23.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
288
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$327,811, ceo & secretary

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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $13.8 million spent. THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS: THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS OFFERS A NONPUBLIC SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN GRADES K-12 AND AGES 5-21, WHO NEED AN INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAM TO MEET THEIR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL NEEDS. THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS UTILIZES MULTIPLE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS THAT HELP STUDENTS MEET ACADEMIC RIGOR, ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM, REGULATE EMOTIONS AND DEVELOP APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE ADDRESSING LARGER ISSUES SUCH AS DRUG ABUSE, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, BULLYING, AND TRUANCY WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT ITS STUDENTS.
  2. $7.4 million spent. THE FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER: FOR THE AUTISM PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER, THE PROGRAM WAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED TO OPEN IN AUGUST 2019 IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART LOCATION IN LANDOVER, MARYLAND. THE FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER IS A FULL-DAY TYPE 1 NONPUBLIC SPECIAL EDUCATIION PROGRAM SERVING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD), IN GRADES K-12, AGES 5 TO 21. THE FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORTS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. THE FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER OFFERS SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF SSTUDENTS WITH ASD WHO DISPLAY A SPECTRUM OF DEVELOPMENT DELAYS, SOCIAL SKILLS IMPAIRMENT AND COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.IN AUGUST 2022, THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS FOURTH AND NEWEST SCHOOL, THE FOUNDATION SCHOOL AT BLAIR G. EWING, OPENED IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. THE FOUNDATION SCHOOL AT BLAIR G. EWING IS A TYPE II NONPUBLIC SPECIAL EDUCATION DAY SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT SERVES A SMALL SPECIFIC SET OF STUDENTS WHO ARE IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES WITHIN A PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, SPECIFICALLY IN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND LEARNING CHALLENGES. THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS IS PROUD TO EXPAND THEIR SERVICE TO REACH MORE STUDENTS REQUIRING SPECIALIZED CARE.
  3. $175,930 spent. FOUNDATION LINKS: THROUGH HOME-BASED AND AFTER SCHOOL OUTREACH INTERVENTIONS, THE FOUNDATION LINKS PROGRAM CONNECTS STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO QUALITY COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO SEEK PRIVATE THERAPEUTIC CARE, THE FOUNDATION LINKS PROGRAM INTRODUCES ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES INCLUDING CONSULTATION WITH THE FOUNDATION SCHOOLS' PSYCHIATRISTS. OTHER RESOURCES INCLUDE PROVIDING CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION AND IN-HOME THERAPEUTIC SERVICES.

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 August 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 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.