Sparta Education Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SPARTA EDUCATION FOUNDATION EXISTS TO PROVIDE THE EXTRAS FOR EDUCATION TO SPARTA AREA SCHOOLS TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS. WE RECEIVE REQUESTS FROM TEACHERS FOR THINGS LIKE READING, SENSORY SKILL BUILDING, THEATRE AND CULTURAL EVENTS THAT THE SCHOOLS STATE FUNDING CANNOT PROVIDE.
- Income
- $134,889
- Spending
- $83,402
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% 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 (religion, under $250k).
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.
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)
- $50,742 spent. THE SEF WAS ABLE TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE STUDENTS OF SPARTA SCHOOLS TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, ITS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ITS HIGH SCHOOL BY GRANTING 23 REQUESTS. GRANT REQUESTS VARIED WIDELY AND INCLUDED ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY IN THE STEM LAB, ENRICHING READING THROUGH ATTENDING A GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATER PRODUCTION OF PETE THE CAT, AND ENHANCING STUDENT FILMMAKING AND BROADCAST JOURNALISM OPPORTUNITIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO FUND 12 GRANTS TO BUS STUDENTS TO VARIOUS EVENTS IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA WHICH INCLUDED PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO WATCH A REAL LIFE TRIAL IN THE MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT AND TO ATTEND MICHIGAN CAREER QUEST.
- $8,500 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO GRADUATING SENIORS TO FURTHER THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION.
- $3,525 spent. A PARENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY SPARTA SCHOOLS RESULTED IN IDENTIFICATION OF THE DESIRE/NEED FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF CYBER SECURITY. THE DISTRICT CONTRACTED WITH PROTECTING YOUNG EYES TO ADDRESS THAT NEED. ASSEMBLIES WERE PRESENTED TO UPPER ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS; A SEPARATE PARENT PRESENTATION WAS ALSO GIVEN. THESE SESSIONS WERE PRESENTED TO ENHANCE SPARTA AREA SCHOOL STUDENTS LIVES BY GIVING THEM THE SKILLS TO PROTECT THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS FROM DETRIMENTAL MATERIALS ONLINE. THE PARENT PRESENTATION HELPED TO EMPOWER PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR STUDENTS WHILE USING TECHNOLOGY.
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 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 August 1992.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Educational Foundation Inc (Chapel Hill, NC), EIN 56-6058412. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.