Substance Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE CHRIST-CENTERED SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES. OUR GOAL IS TO BE DEFINED BY QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND CONTENT, ENGAGED PARENTS, AND INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY AND ENRICHMENT FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES.
- Income
- $120,274
- Spending
- $119,366
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- SUBSTANCE ACADEMY PROVIDED CHRIST-CENTERED ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH WEEKLY IN-PERSON CLASSES SERVING APPROXIMATELY 200 K12 STUDENTS DURING THE TAX YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERED MORE THAN 20 TEACHER-LED AND ELECTIVE COURSES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES WHILE PRESERVING PARENT-DIRECTED EDUCATION. IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY INSTRUCTION, THE ACADEMY FACILITATED FOUR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS THAT ENHANCED CLASSROOM LEARNING AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT.
- SUBSTANCE ACADEMY SUPPORTED HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION, AND RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY-BASED EDUCATION. THESE EFFORTS PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT, FOSTERED MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS AMONG HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES, AND HELPED REDUCE ISOLATION OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH HOMESCHOOLING. APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BENEFITED FROM THESE PROGRAMS DURING THE TAX YEAR.
- DURING THE TAX YEAR, SUBSTANCE ACADEMY INVESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PLAYGROUND AND OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL SPACE FOR STUDENTS, HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES, AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. THE PROJECT CREATED A SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ENHANCING BOTH THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND THE ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO SERVE FAMILIES.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 March 2024.
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.