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Dimensions Educational Research Foundation

EIN 31-1511625 · Lincoln, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

DIMENSIONS EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION PROVIDES RESEARCH-BASED WORKSHOPS, DESIGN CONSULTATIONS AND HANDS-ON RESOURCES TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, NATURE CENTERS, ARBORETUMS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS, ZOOS, WILDLIFE REFUGES, NATIONAL FOREST VISITOR CENTERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES INTERESTED IN HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT MORE DEEPLY WITH THE NATURAL WORLD. IT ALSO RUNS THE DIMENSIONS EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WHICH SERVE AS PRIMARY RESEARCH CLASSROOMS FOR ON-GOING RESEARCH EFFORTS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS WORLDWIDE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CRAFT EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ADULTS AND CHILDREN THRIVE.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
63
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$96,310, 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

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% 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

    0 of 20

    It owes 101% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HANDS-ON, FIELD-TESTED RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS, NATURE CENTERS, NATIONAL FORESTS, PARKS AND WILDLIFE REFUGES, ZOOS, ARBORETUMS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS.
  2. $968,447 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS WORLDWIDE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CRAFT EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS WHERE ADULTS AND CHILDREN THRIVE.
  3. $742,656 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC YOUTH OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.
  4. $112,105 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES VARIOUS OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL AND OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS.

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 October 13, 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 January 1998.

    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 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.