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Educators for Quality Alternatives

EIN 27-0588087 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE STRUGGLING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND EXPERIENCES NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN THE EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHS OF THEIR CHOICE.

Income
$12.7 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
173
Volunteers
59
Highest pay
$159,439, ceo

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 (1)
  1. $11.4 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION RUNS THE NET: CENTRAL CITY, THE NET: GENTILLY, AND THE NEW ORLEANS ACCELERATED HIGH SCHOOL. TOGETHER THESE SCHOOLS SERVE APPROXIMATELY 400 8TH-12TH GRADERS AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY MET OR EXCEEDED THEIR ACHIEVEMENT GOALS ON THE ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY RUBRIC. OVER 1,000 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE NETS AND THE SCHOOLS HAVE EARNED A SOLID REPUTATION AMONG FAMILIES, ADVOCATES, AND EDUCATORS FOR EMBRACING STUDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT NEEDS AND PROVIDING A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORALGROWTH. EQA RUNS THE BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE BRIDGE HAS SERVED EVERY 7TH AND 8TH GRADER EXPELLED IN ORLEANS PARISH. THIS PROGRAM HAS CONSISTENTLY MET AND EXCEEDED ALL CONTRACTED GOALS. SINCE OPENING IN 2019, ONLY 2 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HAS BEEN RE-EXPELLED, A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER RE-EXPULSION RATES WITH ALL PREVIOUS ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS. EQA RUNS THE NEST. THE NEST CHILDCARE CENTER PROVIDES FREE CHILDCARE TO THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS OF STUDENTS AT EQA'S HIGH SCHOOLS. APPROXIMATELY 20% OF EQA'S STUDENTS ARE TEENAGE PARENTS AND HAVING ON CAMPUS CHILDCARE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF SUPPORTING THEM IN EARNING THEIR DIPLOMAS.EQA ALSO ACCEPTS MEDICAID FOR RELATED SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES (SPEECH THERAPY AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES) WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED BY AN ENROLLED STUDENT'S IEP.

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 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 June 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 March 2011.

    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.

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.