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Solar Car Challenge Foundation

EIN 27-4536063 · Plano, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEM Education - Science, Engineering, Alternative Energy. The Solar Car Challenge Foundation helps motivate students in Science, Engineering, and Alternative Energy. We teach high school students how to plan, fund-raise, design, engineer, build, and race roadworthy solar cars. This goal is achieved through in-person workshops, virtual workshops, curriculum materials, mentor programs, and on-site visits. Since its inception, we have worked with more than 65,000 students in 37 states helping share the fun of STEM Education. Students enter a 15-month education cycle wherein they learn mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerodynamics, battery technology, project management, financial planning, materials technology, communications, coding, and construction skills. Most importantly, students learn life skills including dedication and commitment to a project. They learn how to deal with both success and failure.

Income
$192,119
Spending
$187,760
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $187,840 spent. (1) The Solar Car Challenge Education Program taught 8,500 students and teachers how to plan, design, engineer, and build a roadworthy solar car through in-person and virtual workshops. (2) The Solar Car Challenge Foundation hosted a racing event at the Texas Motor Speedway that allowed student solar car teams from around the country to both display and safely race their vehicles. Forty-five teams registered to take part in the 2024 event. (3) The Solar Car Challenge hosted multiple national workshops teaching engineering and project management to high school students. This was done virtually to minimize COVID exposure. (4) The Solar Car Challenge and participating teams shared their project with both Elementary School Students and Middle School Students around the country. Our goal is to inspire youngsters to get involved with Science and Engineering. (5) The Solar Car Challenge continued its "challenge" to high school students to build a vehicle, power that vehicle by the Sun, and to drive that vehicle at a world famous NASCAR Trace (The Texas Motor Speedway) in Fort Worth, Texas.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 October 7, 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.