A Schools Pittsburghs Community Alliance for Public Education
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO FOCUS OUR COMMUNITY'S ENERGY ON IMPROVING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN THE PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
- Income
- $928,383
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $155,377, executive director
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 183% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 96% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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 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)
- $492,399 spent. 4A. CITY-WIDE: WE WORK AT A CITY-WIDE LEVEL TO CONVENE PARTNERS TO END CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM THROUGH THE PITTSBURGH LEARNING COLLABORATIVE (PLC), STAND UP INITIATIVES THAT ARE CO-DESIGNED WITH PLC MEMBERS TO ADDRESS KEY ISSUES, AND PROVIDE COORDINATED SUPPORTS FOR FUNDING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA. THIS WORK LOOKS AT SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO SUCCESS AND ALLOWS US TO BRING OVER 70 ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE.A. PITTSBURGH LEARNING COLLABORATIVE (PLC): THE PLC IS MADE UP OF OVER 125 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS (EDUCATION, OUT OF SCHOOL TIME, HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND DEVELOPMENT) THAT CONVENE EVERY OTHER MONTH AS A WHOLE TO SHARE RESOURCES, IDENTIFY CHALLENGES, AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES THAT ARE IMPEDING GETTING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. A+ SCHOOLS PROVIDES COORDINATED SUPPORTS FOR FUNDING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA: THESE SUPPORTS INCLUDE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, AND PATRONS TO PROVIDE THE ON-GOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT NEEDED TO SUPPORT EQUITABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES; COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS AND MATERIALS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT LEARNING NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES; DATA GATHERING AND REPORTING AROUND LEARNING NEEDS AND OUTCOMES INCLUDING A+ SCHOOLS' ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRESS IN PITTSBURGH.I. ANNUAL SUMMIT: FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, THE PLC HAS HELD AN ANNUAL SUMMIT, BRINGING IN KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND PROVIDING WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS RANGING FROM CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TO ADVOCACY FOR OUT OF SCHOOL TIME.II. LEARNING COHORTS: AS PART OF THE PLC, 3 SMALLER LEARNING COHORTS ARE CONVENED MONTHLY. THESE GROUPS ARE WORKING TO HELP EXPAND OUR IMPACT ON ATTENDANCE THROUGH SHARED KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCE SHARING, AND METHODOLOGIES THAT WORK.B. RESEARCH AND DATA: OUR MAIN RESEARCH PROJECT, THE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY ON PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRESS IN PITTSBURGH, IS SUPPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BY BLOG POSTS, DATA STORIES, AND COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS THAT HELP THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSES OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM TO ADDRESS THEM.I. EVERYDAY LABS: A+ SCHOOLS PARTNERS WITH EVERYDAY LABS AND PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DELIVER NUDGE LETTERS AND TEXTS TO EVERY STUDENT AT RISK OF CHRONIC ABSENCE AT MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. AT THE CIRCLE, OUR SCHOOLS PARTNER SCHOOLS, A+ SCHOOLS WORKS CLOSELY WITH ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF TO CODESIGN ATTENDANCE INTERVENTIONS USING EVERYDAY PRO, A DATA TOOL FROM EVERYDAY LABS.II. REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY: OUR ANNUAL REPORT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON EVERY PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL (DISTRICT AND CHARTER) AS WELL AS ANALYSIS OF TRENDS (THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY) AND STORIES ABOUT WHAT WORKS (RISING UP). THIS REPORT IS MAILED TO NEARLY 15,000 HOUSEHOLDS, MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE OFFICES, LEGISLATIVE OFFICES, LIBRARIES, AND PEDIATRIC OFFICES.III. BEST PRACTICE RESEARCH: THE A+ SCHOOLS TEAM CREATES PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS THAT USE DATA FROM THE REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS RESEARCH ON BEST PRACTICES FROM AROUND THE NATION TO HELP COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN REDUCING CHRONIC ABSENCE.
- $596,388 spent. 4B. STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOLS: THE ORGANIZATION'S STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOL STRATEGIES PROVIDE FAMILIES DIRECT SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE THEIR LEARNERS ARE THRIVING IN SCHOOLS WHERE STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE EXCITED TO BE.A. CIRCLE OUR SCHOOLS: WORKING WITH COLLABORATIVES OF SCHOOL-BASED STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL-RELATED NEEDS AND ISSUES VIA PLANNING, FACILITATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT. CURRENTLY, THIS WORK IS HAPPENING AT PERRY HIGH SCHOOL, ARLINGTON PREK-8, AND UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY AT MARGARET MILLIONES SCHOOL. OUR GOAL IS TO LEARN WHAT WORKS FROM THESE SCHOOLS AND CONTINUE EXPANDING A SET OF SUPPORTS TO OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE COMING YEAR WITH A FOCUS ON INCREASING DAILY ATTENDANCE AND ELIMINATING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. WE ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THREE KEY COMMUNITIES THROUGH GRANTS FROM LOCAL FOUNDATIONS: PITTSBURGH'S NORTHSIDE, HILL DISTRICT, AND HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOODS.B. EXPANDING PARTNERSHIPS: AS WE CONTINUE TO LEARN AND MAKE AN IMPACT, WE HAVE BEGUN ENGAGEMENT WITH MORE SCHOOLS IN THE PAST YEAR TO IMPROVE THEIR ATTENDANCE OUTCOMES THROUGH FINANCIAL AND COORDINATING SUPPORTS. THESE SCHOOLS ARE WEIL, MILLER, MORROW, AND FAISON.C. PARENT NATION: A TEAM OF TWO PARENT LEADERS WORK TOGETHER WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO RESOURCES THAT WOULD HELP THEM GET THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY. THE TEAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH FAMILIES TO ENSURE 100% OF STUDENTS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO ARRIVE AT SCHOOL READY TO LEARN EVERY DAY. WHILE MOST OF THIS TEAM'S WORK IS FOCUSED ON OUR PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS, THEY CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE A+ SCHOOLS PARENT HOTLINE WHERE FAMILIES CAN CALL WITH THEIR CONCERNS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH TO GET SUPPORT AROUND SCHOOL NEEDS.
- $1.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE FISCAL SPONSORSHIP WITH TOTAL EXPENSES OF $1,327,596 AND GRANT AWARDS OF $426,600.
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 June 2004.
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.