Old Trail School Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ESTABLISHED IN 1990, THE OLD TRAIL SCHOOL FOUNDATION WAS CREATED TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE GIFTS, ESTABLISH AND REVIEW INVESTMENT AND SPENDING POLICIES, AND OVERSEE THE MANAGEMENT OF ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR THE SCHOOL. OLD TRAIL SCHOOL STRIVES FOR AN ENDOWMENT LARGE ENOUGH TO UNDERWRITE FACULTY SALARY INCREASES IN EXCESS OF INFLATION AND DESIRES AN ENDOWMENT SUFFICIENT TO FUND FINANCIAL AID ALLOCATIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE THE ACADEMIC ABILITY BUT NOT THE MEANS TO ATTEND OLD TRAIL SCHOOL. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BUILD AN ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE PHYSICAL PLANT THAT ALLOWS THE SCHOOL TO BECOME LESS RELIANT ON OPERATING EXPENSES FOR MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT. BUILDING AN ENDOWMENT TO ENHANCE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS WILL ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ON THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR PROGRAM EXPENSES. AN ENDOWMENT FUND TO SUPPORT SPECIFIC AREAS SUCH AS THE LIBRARY, TECHNOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GUEST SPEAKERS WILL PROVIDE THE STRENGTH AND EXCELLENCE EXPECTED BY OUR FAMILIES.
- Income
- $765,544
- Spending
- $486,998
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 32.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 65%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $334,913, head of school
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
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $445,873 spent. THE ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS OLD TRAIL SCHOOL.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.