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Lake Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation

EIN 34-1640416 · Kirtland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEAF EMPOWERS LEARNERS TO PLAN FOR THEIR FUTURE THROUGH CAREER, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL AID ADVISORY SERVICES.

Income
$643,124
Spending
$509,310
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
13
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$84,105, 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $320,693 spent. LEAF SERVES 24 SCHOOLS (16,000+) STUDENTS IN LAKE, GEAUGA, CUYAHOGA, AND PORTAGE COUNTIES. ADVISORY SERVICES INCLUDE: CAREER EXPLORATION; COLLEGE/CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM SEARCH; UNDERSTANDING THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS; FEE WAIVERS FOR ADMISSION APPLICATIONS AND SATS/ACTS; UNDERSTANDING THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS; FILING THE FAFSA FORM; COMPLETION OF OTHER FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS, SUCH AS THE CCS PROFILE, INSTITUTIONAL FORMS, AND CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE FORMS; SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH; UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION FUNDING OPTIONS, INCLUDING STUDENT LOANS; INTERPRETING FINANCIAL AID OFFERS. LEAF ALSO PUBLISHES THE RESOURCE GUIDE FOR PATHWAY SUCCESS; JUNIOR, SENIOR, AND CAREER LEAFLETS; AND 16 E-NEWSLETTERS THAT ARE GRADE SPECIFIC. PUBLICATIONS ARE DIRECTED TO CONTRACT SCHOOL CONSTITUENCIES ONLY. ADVISORS MEET INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, VIRTUALLY, OR AT THE RESOURCE CENTER. THEY ALSO FACILITATE IN-SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, A FINANCIAL AID NIGHT, AND OFTEN A FINANCIAL AID FILING NIGHT, WHICH ASSISTS IN FILING THE FAFSA FORM.
  2. $55,850 spent. SCHOLARSHIP MANAGEMENT:LEAF MANAGES AND ADMINISTERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEVERAL THIRD- PARTY ORGANIZATIONS (KNOWN AS COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS). THESE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FUNDED BY THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION HARRIET B. STORRS FUND, THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION WILLIS KELLY SCHOLARSHIP FUND, WILLOUGHBY SOUTH ALUMNI, WESTERN RESERVE JUNIOR LEAGUE, ABB, EASTERN LAKE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ERIE AFFILIATES, AND THREE MEMORIAL FUNDS. LEAF CHARGES A NOMINAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO MANAGE THESE SCHOLARSHIPS. IN ADDITION, LEAF MANAGES AND ADMINISTERS SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE FUNDED BY OUR OWN DONORS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
  3. THE RESOURCE CENTER, LOCATED AT THE LEAF OFFICES IN KIRTLAND, OFFERS THE SAME SERVICES IDENTIFIED ABOVE TO LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT NO CHARGE. SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY APPOINTMENT DURINGLIMITED TIMES, BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. THE RESOURCE CENTER ALSO OFFERS VIRTUAL SESSIONS, TYPICALLY ON MONDAY NIGHTS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS THAT INCLUDE CAREEROPTIONS, SUCH AS THE TRADES, MANUFACTURING, CERTIFICATE EDUCATION, AND THE MILITARY, AS WELL AS OTHER TOPICS SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS 101, FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION, AND HOW COLLEGES RECRUIT ATHLETES. EACH SESSION HAS A SUBJECT EXPERT, OR A PANEL OF SUBJECT EXPERTS FACILITATED BY LEAF STAFF. ATTENDANCE VARIES BY TOPIC. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND THOSE WHO REGISTER CAN REQUEST A VIDEO OF THE SESSION. ALL SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

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 June 1990.

    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.