The Alpaugh Family Economic Center for Educational and Research
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ECONOMICS CENTER PROVIDES STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 WITH THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EARNING MONEY, SETTING BUDGETS, LIVING WITHIN MEANS AND SAVING FOR THE FUTURE. STUDENTS ARE ALSO INTRODUCED TO THE STOCK MARKET AND THE CONCEPT OF INVESTING AND LEARN HOW LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL ISSUES INFLUENCE PERSONAL WEALTH.EACH YEAR THE CENTER REACHES:- 6,200 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FROM 25 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS- 4,900 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR VARIOUS FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS- OVER 500 TEACHERS TRAINED IMPACTING 26,000 STUDENTS
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 23.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 231
- Highest pay
- $173,354, co-executive director
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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2538 of 40 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (1)
- $1.6 million spent. PROVIDE ECONOMIC EDUCATION COURSES TO THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO EDUCATE LOCAL STUDENTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN FREE-ENTERPRISE SYSTEM AND PERSUADE THEM TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL.
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 March 1977.
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.