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Passes our checks

Democratic Schools Research Inc

EIN 31-1608946 · Bryan, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEMOCRATIC SCHOOLS RESEARCH, INC. DBA BRAZOS SCHOOL FOR INQUIRY & CREATIVITY IS A TEXAS STATE OPEN ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL PRIMARILY SERVES STUDENTS IN GRADES PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE. THE SCHOOL'S VISION IS TO COLLABORATE WITH FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE A NURTURING ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL EMPOWER ALL STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS WITHIN A COMPETITIVE, GLOBAL SOCIETY.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
66
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$150,000, superintendent

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 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

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 (2)
  1. $2.0 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND INSTRUCTION-RELATED SERVICESTHIS FUNCTION IS FOR SERVICES THAT PROVIDE DIRECT INTERACTION BETWEEN STAFF MEMBERS AND STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE STUDENT LEARNING OR PROVIDE STAFF MEMBERS WITH THE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE STUDENT LEARNING.
  2. $338,968 spent. INSTRUCTIONAL AND SCHOOL LEADERSHIPTHIS FUNCTION IS RELATED TO MANAGING, DIRECTING, SUPERVISING, AND LEADING STAFF MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION OR INSTRUCTION-RELATED SERVICES. IT IS ALSO FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP OF A SCHOOL CAMPUS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 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 August 2025.

    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 January 1999.

    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.