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Sterling Schools Foundation

EIN 36-3575698 · Sterling, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE BY FINDING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF STERLING'S SCHOOLS. FOUNDATION MONIES ALLOW THE STERLING SCHOOL SYSTEM TO INITIATE, CONTINUE, OR EXPAND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS OTHERWISE LEFT WITHOUT ADEQUATE MONEY TO PROCEED BECAUSE OF BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS OR COMPELLING PRIORITIES. THE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND FUNDING OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT WILL RAISE THE LEVEL OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP PROVIDE THE VERY BEST EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AS THEY PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES OF LIFE.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 50%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$89,674, executive di

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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 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 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 92% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (5)
  1. $797,390 spent. AUDITORIUM OPERATIONS - CENTENNIAL AUDITORIUM IS LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF STERLING HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS PART OF THE STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE STERLING SCHOOLS FOUNDATION RAISED THE FUNDS TO BUILD THE AUDITORIUM IN 1998 AND CONTINUES TO FUND ALL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES AT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE, UTILITIES, AND STAFF. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROGRAM AND SERVED 15,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.
  2. $152,431 spent. SHS ATHELETIC BOOSTER CLUB PROVIDES AS NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STERLING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND ATHLETES. SERVED 453 STUDENTS.
  3. $59 spent. GOLDEN WARRIOR TV PROGRAM PROVIDES LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE OF STERLING PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPORTING EVENTS, CONCERTS, CEREMONIES, ETC. REVENUE IS GENERATED FROM SUBSCRIPTION AND ADVERTISING SALES. NUMBER SERVED 1,000.
  4. $885,766 spent. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE GW BASEBALL CLUB, A+ INITIATIVE, ACADEMIC BOOSTER CLUB, BLUE & GOLD PROGRAM, TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, & OTHERS. THESE PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS & ALUMNI OF THE STERLING SCHOOL SYSTEM.
  5. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE GW BASEBALL CLUB, A+ INITIATIVE, ACADEMIC BOOSTER CLUB, BLUE & GOLD PROGRAM, TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, & OTHERS. THESE PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS & ALUMNI OF THE STERLING SCHOOL SYSTEM.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.