Wellness in the Schools Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INSPIRE HEALTHY EATING, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, AND FITNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE FOR KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
- Income
- $6.5 million
- Spending
- $5.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 10.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 64%
- Employees
- 150
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $301,264, co-founder/executive director
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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (4)
- $4.3 million spent. COOK FOR KIDS - WORKS WITH SCHOOLS TO FEED KIDS REAL FOOD. WELLNESS IN THE SCHOOLS CHEFS, TRAINED CULINARY GRADUATES, WORK WITH SCHOOLS TO TRANSFORM THE CAFETERIA MENU, TRAIN SCHOOLS STAFF, AND PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATION TO STUDENTS. THE DAILY GOAL IS FOR STUDENTS TO RETURN TO CLASS AFTER LUNCH AND RECESS READY TO FOCUS AND LEARN. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO TEACH CHILDREN HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.
- $296,697 spent. SCRATCHWORKS - A PROGRAM SUPPORTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN COOKING SCHOOL MEALS FROM SCRATCH USING WHOLE, FRESH INGREDIENTS THAT PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE NUTRITION THEY NEED FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS, HEALTH AND WELLBEING
- $285,948 spent. COACH FOR KIDS - ENCOURAGES SCHOOLS TO LET KIDS PLAY TO REACH THE RECOMMENDED 60 MINUTES OF DAILY ACTIVITY. WELLNESS IN THE SCHOOLS COACHES, TRAINED FITNESS PROFESSIONALS, WORK WITH SCHOOLS TO REINVENT RECESS, TRAIN SCHOOL STAFF, AND PROVIDE FITNESS EDUCATION TO STUDENTS. THE DAILY GOAL IS FOR STUDENTS TO RETURN TO CLASS AFTER LUNCH AND RECESS READY TO FOCUS AND LEARN. THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO TEACH CHILDREN HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.
- CONSULTING - COOK FOR KIDS
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 November 6, 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 April 2006.
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 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.