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Monarch School Project

EIN 33-0871354 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MONARCH SCHOOL PROJECT, A NONPROFIT CORPORATION, SUPPORTS A K-12 SCHOOL DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY TO EDUCATE UNHOUSED STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. MONARCH SCHOOL BREAKS DOWN THE BARRIERS UNHOUSED YOUTH FACE IN ACCESSING EDUCATION AND PROVIDES THEM WITH A SAFE, STABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN HEAL AND DEVELOP THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES FOR PERSONAL SUCCESS.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$8.9 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
97
Volunteers
531
Highest pay
$308,625, president/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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 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. $5.3 million spent. SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL:THROUGH SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, MONARCH STRIVES TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, A SENSE OF SCHOOL PRIDE AND COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS FEELING VALUED IN BELONGING TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES AND AN IDENTITY BEYOND BEING UNHOUSED. KEY SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE STUDENT CLUBS, SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS, ATHLETICS, ARTS, AND DAILY ENRICHMENT. THROUGH OUR TEAM OF STUDENT AND PARENT ADVOCATES, ON-CAMPUS THERAPEUTIC AND COUNSELING SERVICES, SCHOOL HEALTH CLINIC, CLOTHING BOUTIQUE, SHOWERS, AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES, STUDENTS HAVE A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO HEAL AND LEARN.
  2. $421,269 spent. LIFE SKILLS:LIFE SKILLS ARE THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND. LIFE SKILLS ALSO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. STUDENTS AT MONARCH ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCOVER THEIR STRENGTHS, INTERESTS, AND BUILD PATHWAYS TO THEIR FUTURE. THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS WORK-READINESS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, INTERNSHIPS, COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHING, AND MENTORSHIP, STUDENTS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS SUCH AS PERSEVERANCE, COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING.
  3. $520,909 spent. ACADEMIC:MONARCH PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED, STUDENT-CENTERED INSTRUCTION FOR OUR STUDENTS, AS WELL AS ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS. MOST STUDENTS COME TO MONARCH WITH SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THEIR EDUCATION. MONARCH STRIVES TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH RIGOROUS, RELEVANT, AND ENGAGING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO TUTORING, SATURDAY SCHOOL, MATH AND LITERACY SPECIALISTS, TECHNOLOGY, AS WELL AS SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
  4. $779,814 spent. THE CHRYSALIS: MONARCH CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS A 6,000 SQUARE FOOT ARTS SPACE IN BARRIO LOGAN WITH A DEDICATED 100-SEAT THEATRE, DANCE STUDIO, VISUAL ART CLASSROOM, AND STOREFRONT GALLERY. THE CHRYSALIS PROVIDES THEATRE, MUSIC, DANCE AND VISUAL ARTS PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING PROGRAMS FOR 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE CENTER PARTICIPANT VOICES AND INFLUENCE AS WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT USING A CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN OUR APPROACH. WE WELCOME COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RENT OUT THE SPACE FOR THEIR OWN COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING, EXPANDING OUR NETWORK AND CREATING MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

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 August 1996.

    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.