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Oakland School Education Foundation

EIN 38-3533533 · Waterford, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We maximize innovative learning opportunities to prepare Oakland Schools' students for personal and professional success. Our vision is to be a fully sustainable, high performing non-profit organization that is widely recognized as a champion for public education and works in collaboration with Oakland Schools to support core educational programs.We grow students' potential in our community by supporting Oakland Schools and the programs they prioritize. We serve as connectors between business and community leaders and Oakland Schools and raise funds to support Oakland Schools educational programs. We make Oakland Schools aware of the changing needs of businesses and the community.

Income
$227,569
Spending
$94,720
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
29.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30

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. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (9)
  1. $25,854 spent. Tomorrow's Talent Today Scholarships (TTT): Payments to various colleges/universities were made on behalf of the students that were awarded the OSEF TTT Scholarships. Purchased a computer for a student in lieu of the university receiving all of the funds. Scholarship recipients must have attended one of the Oakland Schools Tech Campuses & have completed a competitive scholarship application. A total of 20 scholarships were awarded in FY24 ranging from $500 - $5,000.
  2. $18,956 spent. Outstanding Teacher of the Year Program - Award to four teachers within Oakland County who meet criteria, are nominated and chosen through a selection process to highlight outstanding teacher performance through celebration and award program.
  3. $10,050 spent. Spelling Bee: The Oakland County Spelling Bee has been open to Oakland County students in the fifth-through eighth grade since 1998, always boasting a high participation rate. More than 90 students each year qualify by winning their local school spelling bee. The previous sponsor of the Spelling Bee is now unable to continue their support, so the Foundation decided to support the event for the County. The National Spelling Bee was first started in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee for the purpose of helping students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives. Ninety years later, their literacy effort reaches 11 million students every year. Funds were awarded to the winner to reimburse expenses for airfare, lodging and meals. Additional expenses were incurred, including Scripps Spelling Bee partnership fee, event rental and supplies.
  4. $3,136 spent. Superintendent's Initiative: This program is used by the Oakland Schools Superintendent to support teachers and staff within Oakland County. Expenses this year included staff and teacher appreciation gifts/meals.
  5. $2,000 spent. Bonnie Crowson Scholarships - These funds are designated provide scholarships to students at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus. This year 2 $1,000 scholarships were distributed.
  6. $1,736 spent. Oakland County Support Staff Award: $1,500 awarded to 3 recipients ($500 awards to each) for the Support Staff Award. This award honors nominees from the 4 quadrants of the county that provide excellent support services within a school district. Additional costs for printing and supplies was incurred.
  7. $1,500 spent. Robotics/OCCRA - Funds awarded to Oakland Schools for the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association, which is a local association formed to increase the number of students involved in competitive robotics.
  8. $1,207 spent. Zatkoff STEMi and STEMco Grant: Awarded to Oakland Schools for equipment and teaching materials to support the STEMi. The STEMi is a traveling mobile lab - classroom on a semi-truck which is equipped with scalable high-tech equipment to support engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and MI Talent Architecture core employability skills. The STEMi lab is driven to 28 local school districts, at no cost, for one week at a time, so students have access for hands-on STEM education. A typical visit to a district can provide approximately 18 student learning hours to 500 students and nine educator learning hours.
  9. $400 spent. Apprenticeship - Funds awarded to LiUNA Local 1076 for membership fees for 2 senior students MI Laborer's Training & Apprenticeship Program.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.