So Others May Learn
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
So Others May Learn a 501-C3 nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing academic scholarships to deserving students in Uganda Zambia and Zimbabwe and support the communities in which these students learn and live. These scholarships are specifically targeted at students in rural areas who lack the financial resources to pursue their education. In addition to financial support the organization also ensures ongoing monitoring of academic progress and offers additional assistance such as healthcare and infrastructure improvements for the communities where these students reside. Through these efforts So Others May Learn aims to empower underserved students in their communities by breaking down barriers to education and fostering sustainable development.
- Income
- $305,249
- Spending
- $262,982
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (5)
- $92,502 spent. So Others May Learn believes that students thrive when their communities thrive and they can focus on their education when they dont have to worry that their families friends or leaders are struggling. Every year the communities in which our students learn and live submit funding proposals for infrastructure projects that will benefit their community. We evaluate these projects based on their direct impact they will have on our students and families they connection to education and input from our community advisory boards. In order for So Others May Learn to fund a project the community must partner fiscally or through labor investment period weve vetted 13 community proposals this year and selected 4 for sponsorship: 2 medical clinics supports in Kapane and Ngamo villages a tree nursery and Ziga village that is part of the primary school curriculum and an eco- club project for three primary schools where we have students. In addition in quarter three and four we selected the building of classroom blocks at the Lupinyu primary school in Zimbabwe we created a borehole for Lupani secondary school and we helped to fund agricultural equipment for a community farm that serves our Ziga and Ngamo scholars. These projects are ongoing into fiscal year 25 but the commitment to the communities and tangible impact for our students is already present.
- $85,256 spent. In 2024 so others may learn granted it 4 secondary schools scholarships and three universities scholarships to students in Zambia and eight secondary schools scholarships to students in Zimbabwe. As per above come with our Ugandan scholarship program covering tuition transportation fees healthcare food and other essential expenses is a key component of these comprehensive scholarships. By offering the support we aim to enable our students to concentrate on their education without worrying about their financial burdens. At the end of fiscal year 24 we committed to taking on an additional 12 students after our site visits in November and December of 2024.
- $46,761 spent. In 2024 so others may learn granted 19 Ugandan scholars with scholarships: 4 at the primary level 6 at the secondary level and 9:00 at the university level. These scholarships are extensive covering tuition transportation fees healthcare food and other essential expenses. By offering this comprehensive support we aim to enable our students to concentrate on their education without worrying about financial burdens.
- $38,072 spent. In 2024 So Others May Learn continued sponsoring Brandon Ariho a Ugandan scholarship student supported by SOML since 3rd grade. He was granted a partial scholarship to the University of Vermont in 2023. Brandon is our first scholarship student in the U.S. We cover his university tuition flights home and all necessary expenses for his education in the United States.
- On completion of a scholarship for starters many learned students are asked to pay it forward either through tangible on the ground work with the communities in which they live and learn or by financially sponsoring a student in their community. As part of our pay for our program we also assist our alumni with mentorship and advisor roles for our current students.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 September 2011.
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.