Dr Maya Angelou Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 30% of its spending went to programs.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 243 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our mission is to activate positive change and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, creative writers and courageous leaders through our innovative programs rooted in greater access to education, equality, and justice for all. We fulfill our mission by awarding deserving students scholarships to attend historically black colleges and universities through our flagship Annie Willie Scholarship, strengthen student outcomes and literacy- and writing-based curriculum through our Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation Essay Contest, and by supporting healthcare and community-based initiatives bearing Dr. Angelous name.
- Income
- $145,087
- Spending
- $251,713
- Spent on programs
- 30%
- Reserves
- 51.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 94%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $135,935, board chair
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 51.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1530% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 243 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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 (2)
- $49,521 spent. Essay ContestThe Dr. Maya Angelou Essay Contest was introduced through Mr. Guy Johnsons vision and in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District. Students with the top essays are awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to be published authors in an anthology. The essay contest has expanded to public high schools in Winston-Salem. In 2024, The DMAF awarded $20,800 to top essayists.
- $27,014 spent. HBCU ScholarshipsThe Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation (DMAF) fulfills its mission by awarding Annie Henderson and Willie Johnson scholarships to deserving students to attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). One award is granted to a general student and the other scholarship is awarded to a physically-challenged/mobility-impaired or re-entry student. The scholarship recipients must be progressing satisfactorily in order to qualify for the second year. The GPA requirement is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Dr. Angelou understood the importance of HBCUs as a key driver in building a strong middle class in America. In 2025, DMAF awarded $60,000 in scholarships to worthy students. The Foundation remains honored to serve as a conduit to ensure that all students have access to institutions of academic excellence.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 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 January 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 June 2022.
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.