Go Public Schools
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GO Public Schools builds and supports a multi-city network of local coalitions, whose members parents, educators, and community allies work together to expand access to quality education in Californias most historically underserved communities.We inform, align, organize, and support leaders at every level, from grassroots to grasstops. These leaders are advocates for changes in school governance, policy, practice, and culture that promote excellence and equity for our students and families. Organizing leaders at all levels to advocate for excellent and equitable systems creates the conditions for improved student opportunity, learning, and achievement cradle to career.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $208,840, 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 256 of 6 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 (5)
- $518,754 spent. Org-Wide Accomplishments- GO developed tools to help families and educators navigate the new state mandated Reading Difficulty Risk Screener. These resources, downloaded nearly 1,000 times, helped move a compliance exercise into a truly impactful mandate. - GO expanded its library of reports, guides, and resources to support families as they navigate the complex education system. This included an updated parent/teacher conference tool. These are available to families throughout the state of California. In total, resources were utilized over 35,000 times. - GO enhanced its Family Leadership Program model to offer affinity cohorts designed to support the unique needs of families across California.The program launched with a program specifically for families with students in small, often rural school districts.
- $418,396 spent. West Contra Costa Accomplishments- GO engaged more than 1,200 community members in one-on-one meetings, events, board actions, and other opportunities. This base of supporters allows us to make a significant impact on system-level policy decisions in West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).- GO staff facilitated a literacy community-led committee, now in its third year, that partnered closely with WCCUSD leadership to shape the rollout plan of the new state mandated K-2 reading screener. This engagement led to a thorough, family- and educator-centered plan that created the foundation for the screener leading to greatly improved literacy practices.- GO co-hosted the annual West Contra Costa Education Fair welcoming over 550 community members to connect with TK-12 schools, local community organizations, colleges, and WCCUSD district departments.
- $323,318 spent. Fresno Accomplishments- GO engaged more than 650 community members in one-on-one meetings, events, and other opportunities. This base allows us to make a significant impact on system-level policy decisions in Fresno Unified School District (FUSD).- Staff supported families in developing vital leadership skills through GOs signature Family Leadership Program. Over 100 parents completed the six-session course, including a cohort focused on pre-school families.
- $244,671 spent. Oakland Accomplishments- GO engaged more than 300 community members to take action in support of our work to improve Oaklands public education system in one-on-one meetings, events, and other opportunities. This base of supporters allows us to make a significant impact on system-level policy decisions in Oakland Unified School District.- GO released multiple data reports and led corresponding data talks and walks, engaging over 6,500 Oakland community members. Data talks included key Oakland leaders from OUSD, the Alameda County Office of Education, local community organizations, and elected leaders.
- $139,512 spent. North Valley Accomplishments - GO engaged more than 200 community members in one-on-one meetings, events, and other opportunities. These engagements informed the development of our multi-school district engagement strategy across Stanislaus County.- Staff supported families in developing vital leadership skills through GOs signature Family Leadership Program. Over two dozen parents completed the six-session course. GO also released multiple data reports and led corresponding data talks, engaging over 200 community members
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 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 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 August 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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Idea Public Schools (Weslaco, TX), EIN 74-2948339. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.