Byerschool Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BYERSCHOOL FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO THE RUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL, A SCHOOL CHARTERED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL LAW 24 PS.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- -67.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 57%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $98,077, president/ceo thr march 2025
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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 85% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.7 million spent. THE BYERSCHOOL FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND RAISES FUNDS TO SUPPORT RUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL. IN ADDITION TO RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE RUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL, THE BYERSCHOOL FOUNDATION OWNS THE BUILDING AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CAPITAL REPAIRS. WE ALSO HOST EVENTS SUCH AS FOUNDERS DAY AND RAPPELLING OFF THE BUILDING FOR OUR OLDER STUDENTS TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE. WE BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS OUTWARD BOUND AND BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS IN SUPPORTIVE WAYS. WE HAVE PROVIDED A BOOK OF STUDENT ART WORK FOCUSING ON PHILADELPHIA ICONS AND WE ARE ABOUT TO PUBLISH OUR SECOND EDITION. THE RUSSELL AND LAURADA BYERS OPPORTUNITY FUND PROVIDES GRANTS FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY MUSEUMS, UNIVERSITIES, CAMPS, OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THESE EXPERIENCES WILL HELP THEM "FIND THEIR VOICE" WHILE REINFORCING ACADEMIC CONTENT AND LIMITING LEARNING LOSS. FAMILIES WILL APPLY FOR THE GRANTS SO THEIR STUDENT(S) CAN ATTEND PROGRAMS THIS SUMMER, DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, AND BEYOND.FUNDED OPPORTUNITIES:" SUMMER CAMPS (GENERAL, SPECIALTY, OR SLEEP-AWAY)" SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS" REMOTE ONLINE ACCESS TO SUMMER AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMSLAURADA BYERS "OURS FOR LIFE" FUND FOR ALUMNI AND GRADUATES PROVIDES ONGOING EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SUPPORT FOR GRADUATES OF RUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL. GOALS INCLUDE STAYING IN TOUCH WITH OUR GRADUATES, LEARNING OF THEIR SUCCESSES, AND SUPPORTING THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION. THE "OURS FOR LIFE" FUND ALLOWS US TO SHARE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WITH THESE GRADUATES AS THEY PURSUE THEIR LIFE GOALS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.