Circle Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CIRCLE FOUNDATION IS AN INSTITUTION THAT FACILITATES INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INSIGHTFUL GUIDANCE OPPORTUNITIES, AND DUTIFUL SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAMMING. THE FOUNDATION IS A NON-DISCRIMATORY, NON-SECTARIAN, AND NON-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON PERSERVING AND ENCOURAGING THE HEIGHTS OF HUMAN POTENTIAL IN ORDER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND SOCIETAL PROGRESS.
- Income
- $7.8 million
- Spending
- $7.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $309,855, chief executive officer
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 28% 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
5 of 20It owes 73% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 7 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)
- $5.0 million spent. THE INNOVATIONS HIGH SCHOOL IS A CAMPUS OF THE YOUTH CONNECTION CHARTER SCHOOL, FOCUSED ON ARTS INTEGRATED PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, WHICH PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDY IN A SMALL SCHOOL SETTING, FOR STUDENTS AGES 16 THROUGH 21. THE INNOVATIONS HIGH SCHOOL PRIMARILY WORKS WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES IN A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING AND ARE AT RISK OF ACADEMIC FAILURE AND/OR DROPPING OUT.
- $540,219 spent. THE CIRCLE FOUNDATION BENTON HOUSE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES FREE FOOD TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN NEED. THE VISION IS TO DUTIFULLY IMPACT HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY UNTIL THOSE NEEDS ARE ALLEVIATED. THE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS FOOD ANDRESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE, PARTNERSHIPS, AND INNOVATION. THE FOUNDATION WILL MODEL GOOD STEWARDSHIP IN ITS WORK WITH DIGNITY, EQUITY, AND CONVENIENCE. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OCCASIONALLY PROVIDES CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS AVAILABLE THROUGH DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
- $190,253 spent. THE YOUTH SCHOLARS, SKILLS, AND SERVICE MENTORING PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND WORK-RELATED SERVICES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SKILLS THAT AT-RISK YOUTH NEED TO EARN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT, COLLEGE, OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.
- $434,429 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES CONSISTED OF THE REENROLLED STUDENT PROJECT, THE YOUTH EXPERIENCING SUCCESS PROGRAM, AND THE YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM, AMONG OTHERS.
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 May 2010.
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.