Decatur Public Schools Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION BY ASSISTING THE DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PROVIDING QUALITY PROGRAMS THROUGH MAKING FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR APPROVED GRANTS.
- Income
- $898,792
- Spending
- $965,294
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $124,690, 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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 96% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (3)
- $365,453 spent. THE DPS FOUNDATION GENERATES FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL DESIGNATED FUNDS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS. THESE RANGE FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS TO STEM TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND VARY YEAR TO YEAR BASED ON DONOR INTEREST. THIS CATEGORY (DESIGNATED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS) HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. DONOR-DESIGNATED PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED AS DIRECTED BY THE CONTRIBUTOR. UNDESIGNATED FUNDS RAISED SUPPORT ALL ASPECTS OF GRANT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AND COVERED THE COSTS TO IMPLEMENT GRANTS WITHIN THE PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING.
- $347,541 spent. THE LARGEST NUMBER OF STUDENTS INCORPORATES AN AGRICULTURE ACADEMY AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CAREER-EXPLORATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, WHICH COMBINE TO INCORPORATE APPROXIMATELY 500 PARTICIPANTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. ACTIVITIES ENGAGE STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE LEVELS.
- $49,778 spent. OPERATION CALCULUS PROVIDES SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER BOOT CAMP SUPPORT TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS AT BOTH EISENHOWER AND MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOLS. PROGRAM COORDINATORS OFFER STRUCTURED ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN THE HIGHEST LEVEL MATH COURSES, AND TO STAY ON TRACK FROM PROMOTION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE OFTEN-DIFFICULT 8TH/9TH GRADE TRANSITION. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AT THE CONCLUSION OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH SUMMER BRIDGE TUTORING AND MENTORING. OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROGRAM, 100% OF THE SENIORS TO DATE HAVE GRADUATED AND WERE ACCPTED INTO COLLEGE.
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 November 6, 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 October 1997.
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 November 4, 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.