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Anna Julia Cooper School

EIN 27-0407231 · Richmond, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF ANNA JULIA COOPER SCHOOL IS TO LOVE, EDUCATE, AND UPLIFT ITS STUDENTS AND GRADUATES SO THAT THEY MAY REALIZE THEIR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS. WE PROVIDE FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO K-8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO RESIDE PRIMARILY IN RICHMOND'S EAST END.

Income
$15.7 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
60
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$139,181, head of school

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 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 (3)
  1. $3.7 million spent. THE SCHOOL SERVES STUDENTS IN K-8TH GRADES. OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM FOCUSES HEAVILY ON READING, WRITING AND MATH. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY. OUR CURRICULUM ALSO INCLUDES PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING, CHAPEL, ART, MUSIC, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES.
  2. $270,754 spent. GRADUATE SUPPORT THE SCHOOL ASSISTED WITH TUITION AND FEES FOR ABOUT 56 STUDENTS AND PROVIDED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AN ADDITIONAL 274 STUDENTS. SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDED COLLEGE ASSISTANCE, HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, SUMMER JOBS, TESTING AND TRANSPORTATION.
  3. $62,500 spent. THE ANNA JULIA COOPER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013 TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS OF LIMITED RESOURCES, PRIMARILY FROM RICHMOND'S EAST END, TO ATTEND ANNA JULIA COOPER SCHOOL AND OTHER INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA. INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND PAY TAXES IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A 65% STATE TAX CREDIT AS PART OF THE EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.