Sme Education Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A. TO OPERATE AND ACT EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF, TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF, AND TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS, A TAX-EXEMPT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, (THE "CODE"), AND WHICH IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION, AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN CODE SECTION 509, PURSUANT TO CODE SECTION 509(A)(2). B. THE SME EDUCATION FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO PREPARE THE FUTURE ENGINEERS AND TECHNOLOGISTS FOR MANUFACTURING CAREERS THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO ENRICH STUDENTS TO STUDY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) IN ALIGNMENT WITH SME. C. TO OPERATE AND ACT EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AS SUCH TERMS ARE USED IN CODE SECTION 501(C)(3). D. TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER ASSETS EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AS SUCH TERMS ARE USED IN CODE SECTION 501(C)(3).
- Income
- $8.0 million
- Spending
- $9.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 12.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 163
- Highest pay
- $755,559, executive director & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $1.1 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: IN 2024 THE SME EDUCATION FOUDATION AWARDED ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS TO 144 GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, CURRENT UNDERGRADUATES AND MASTERS OR DOCTORAL DEGREE STUDENTS PURSUING POST-SECONDARY DEGREES IN MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, AND RELATED FIELDS. TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DISTRIBUTED TO 123 HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS EQUALED $816,101.
- $7.3 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE PRIME (PARTNERHSIP RESPONSE IN MANUFACTURING EDUCATION) PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HANDS-ON TRAINING AND MANUFACTURING SKILLS THROUGH ACCESS TO ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INDUSTRY-LED CURRICULUM, JOB SHADOWING AND MENTORING PROGRAMS. CASH, EQUIPMENT AND CURRICULUM TOTALING $6,679,111 WAS DONATED TO SCHOOLS IN THE PRIME NETWORK IN 2024.
- $237,906 spent. EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: PROJECTS INCLUDED SPONSORSHIP OF GIRL'S STEM CAMP AND SME STUDENT CHAPTER ASSISTANCE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 1987.
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.