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Discoveru

EIN 26-2053733 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ENVISION THE DAY WHEN EVERY YOUNG PERSON HAS ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT GIVE THEM THE SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND MIDSET TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN SUCCESS. TO ACHIEVE ITS VISION, DISCOVERU HELPS YOUTH SUCCESSFULLY APPLY AND GAIN ADMISSION TO AND COMPLETE HIGH-QUALITY, OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND ADVOCATES FOR THE INCLUSION OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
21
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$111,377, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $638,709 spent. DISCOVERU FANTASTIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (FLO) PROGRAM CONSISTS OF COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATORY PROGRAMS THAT ARE INTENSIVE (FLO) AND EXPLORATORY (PREFLO). FUNDED, PLANNED, AND EXECUTED BY A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY CONSTITUENTS, FLO'S ARE OFTEN UNTAPPED BY LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES DUE TO A LACK OF AWARENESS, SKILL, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. OUR PROGRAM SERVICES, DETAILED BELOW, RESPOND TO THESE OBSTACLES: 1. ACCESS TO INFORMATION 2. FINANCIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT 3. CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS 4. LEADERSHIP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
  2. $467,424 spent. THE FELLOWSHIP INITIATIVE (TFI) PROGRAM IS A COHORT-BASED MENTORSHIP PROGRAM THAT SEEKS TO CONNECT YOUNG MEN OF COLOR TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. TFI FELLOWS MEET WEEKLY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH DISCOVERU STAFF TO RECEIVE TUTORING, TEST PREP, AND COLLEGE ACCESS SERVICES. DURING THE SUMMER TFI FELLOWS PARTICIPATE IN COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATORY PROGRAMS WE CALL FLOS. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE FOR THE COHORT TO ACHIEVE 100% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND 100% ACCEPTANCE INTO A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 2008.

    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.