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Tustin Public School Foundation

EIN 33-0353928 · Tustin, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO FURTHERING EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY MOBILIZING THE COMMUNITY AND ITS RESOURCES.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
22.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
79
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$85,076, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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 May 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 (4)
  1. $498,766 spent. COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS: DINOSAUR DASH: THIS COMMUNITY EVENT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE TOGETHER IN OUR 2K FUN RUN OR THE COMPETITIVE 5K OR 10K RACE OR 15K/50K BIKE TOURS. SCHOOLS JOIN TOGETHER WITH FAMILIES TO RUN, WALK, OR RIDE TOGETHER. PRIOR TO EVENT, MANY CURRICULUM AREAS ARE INVOLVED. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A CONTEST TO DESIGN A LOGO, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATE POSTERS WHICH ARE JUDGED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. MATH IS USED TO TRACK REGISTRATIONS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES INVOLVE RUNNING TO PREPARE FOR THE RACE.STATE OF THE SCHOOLS: ANNUAL BREAKFAST IN CELEBRATION OF THE TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOLS
  2. $414,756 spent. SUMMER ACADEMY: THE SUMMER ACADEMY PROVIDES ENRICHMENT CLASSES FOCUSING ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH (STEAM), ALONG WITH OTHER TOPICS TO EXCITE STUDENTS ABOUT LEARNING. COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
  3. $272,328 spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES NUMEROUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING SAVE OUR SPORTS AND CLASSROOM PROJECTS.SAVE OUR SPORTS: THE TUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS AVAILABLE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ALL SIX MIDDLE SCHOOLS.CLASSROOM PROJECTS: INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM PROJECTS AND SCHOOL WIDE ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE TUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION'S GRANT PROGRAM. FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR NEW BOOKS, SCIENCE EQUIPMENT, MATH MANIPULATIVES, AND TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER REACH STUDENTS.
  4. $129,025 spent. GRANTS: CLASSROOM GRANTS: INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM PROJECTS AND SCHOOL WIDE ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE TUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION'S GRANT PROGRAM. FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR NEW BOOKS, SCIENCE EQUIPMENT, MATH MANIPULATIVES, AND TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER REACH STUDENTS.OTHER PROGRAM GRANTS: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES NUMEROUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING SAVE OUR SPORTS, SUMMER ACADEMY, CLASSROOM GRANTS, AND VARIOUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 November 1994.

    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.