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Earth School Educational Foundation Inc

EIN 26-1204422 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENVIRONMENT AND EDUCATIONAL FILMS - THE CARBON NATION DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES AND NATIONAL TOUR BEGAN IN 2010 WITH 1500 SHOWINGS ON THE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE DAMAGING EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
19.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$71,358, secretary treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    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 September 30, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. EARTH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CONTINUES THE PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF SERIES OF SHORT FILMS ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, CARBON MITIGATION AND SOIL HEALTH. SHORT FILM, USED AS COMMUNICATION TOOLS, ARE SCREENED AND PRESENTED AT FILM FESTIVALS, CONFERENCES, CORPORATIONS, STAKEHOLDER ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. ALL SHORT FILMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING ONLINE AND FREE OF CHARGE.RECENT FILM RELEASES INCLUDE: HERD IMPACT, THIS FARM IS MEDICINE, DURING THE DROUGHT, I SEE WATER & SUNSINE, GIVERS AND TAKERS, A FENCE AND AN OWNER. AMP PROJECT BY CARBON NATION FILM CREWS DOCUMENTED FARMERS PARTICIPATING IN THE ROOTS SO DEEP RESEARCH PROJECT. THE FOUR-PART DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES WAS COMPLETED IN 2023. REFER TO PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE O.
  2. RESEARCH PROJECT - CARBON COWBOYSEARTH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC (ESEF) IN COLLABORATION WITH ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (ASU) CONVENED AND LEADS RESEACH PROJECT WITH 20 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS FROM UNIVERSITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS AMERICA, WHO ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIAL WAYS TO DRAW DOWN MATERIAL AMOUNTS OF ATMOSPHERIC CO2. THE SCIENCE TEAM IS STUDING IMPACTS OF ADAPTIVE MULTI-PADDOCK (AMP) GRAZING ON AMERICAN FARMS AND RANCHES. ESEF IS FILMING THE ENTIRE RESEACH PROJECT AND PRODUCING FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM. IN SPRING 2018, AMP GRAZING REARCH TEAM BEGAIN FIELD MEASUREMENTS IN THE SOUTHEAST USA. MEASURED DATA WAS COMPILED FROM CONTROLLED AND SEGMENTED TEST FIELDS ON TEN FARMS IN KY, TN, AL AND MS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 2024.

    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 April 2009.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Educational Foundation Inc (Chapel Hill, NC), EIN 56-6058412. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.