Texas Organizing Project Education Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT EDUCATION FUND (TOP ED FUND) IMPROVES THE LIVES OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TEXAS FAMILIES BY BUILDING POWER THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $6.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 14.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 70% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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.
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 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 (3)
- $1.0 million spent. Civic Engagement expenses: TOP Ed Fund increases civic engagement in low and moderate income neighborhoods in Harris, Dallas, and Bexar counties. TOP Ed Fund encourages families to become informed and active participants in their communities and at all levels of government by informing them of the organizational structure of the local governments (city and county), their respective areas of authority; how decisions are made and how and when public meetings and hearings are conducted where they can participate and express their concerns.
- $2.9 million spent. Public Education and Outreach expenses: The TOP Ed fund identifies issues of concern in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and partners with experts to provide training, host town hall meetings, and host public forums to promote education and understanding of the community-identified issues and solutions, so that residents have the tools they need to effectively address issues in their community. We conduct outreach and public education on issues such as affordable housing, improving neighborhood infrastructure, improving public schools, jobs and job training, affordable health care, criminal justice reform, and immigrants' rights.
- $1.3 million spent. Leadership Development expenses: TOP Ed Fund Community Organizers identify community residents with leadership potential in our targeted low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Organizers work both one-on-one and in group settings with residents to increase their community outreach skills and how to effectively engage their neighbors in joining their efforts to improve their neighborhoods. Residents also learn effective tools and strategies for planning and leading meetings, issue-campaign planning, engaging the media, and increasing civic participation in their neighborhoods.
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 October 13, 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 October 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 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.