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Friends of Foundation Academy Inc

EIN 27-2091277 · Trenton, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRIENDS OF FOUNDATION ACADEMIES SUPPORTS, ENHANCES, AND PROMOTES THE WORK OF FOUNDATION ACADEMIES BY RAISING FUNDS AND DELIVERING SERVICES, PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT EQUITABLY SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-80.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 40%
Employees
0
Volunteers
7

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 107% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 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.

  • 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. $954,477 spent. Under NJ law, charter schools may not build facilities with public funds. To expand and improve our high school facilities, the Friends of Foundation Academies purchased the neighboring vacant Holy Cross rectory site and spent the better part of the 2018-19 school year constructing a new 10,217 square foot addition in the city's south ward. The existing school building received a complete HVAC, electrical, and interior upgrade. The Friends of FA proudly owns and maintains the high school campus and leases it back to the school.
  2. $62,474 spent. Throughout college, there are several crucial moments that can put a student at risk of leaving school. The purpose of the Friends of Foundation Academy Knight Fund is to assist FAC alumni, currently enrolled in college or post-secondary institutions, in managing financial hardships that can hinder students from entering or persisting through their post-secondary schooling and careers. Through donations to the Friends of Foundation Academy, Inc, the Knight Fund provides awards, persistence grants and scholarships to deserving alumni.
  3. $943,047 spent. Funds raised by the Friends of FA help to fill the stark public funding gap between FA and our district counterparts. Support from donations to the Friends provides high-quality enrichment opportunities for students and drives the training, development, and celebration of our remarkable faculty.

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 April 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.