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Valley Inquiry Charter School

EIN 38-3709149 · Salem, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES CAN SHARE IN THE JOY AND DISCOVERY OF EACH DAY; ACQUIRE THE SKILLS TO APPROACH NEW PROBLEMS THOUGHTFULLY AND CREATIVELY; DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF OTHER CULTURES AND TRADITIONS; AND BECOME ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
23
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$56,875, principal

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. VALLEY INQUIRY CHARTER SCHOOL IS A KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH-GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOL OF 161 STUDENTS IN SALEM, OREGON. AS A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL, ADMISSION IS OPEN TO ANY STUDENT IN THE SALEM-KEIZER SCHOOL DISTRICT THROUGH A LOTTERY SYSTEM. ADMISSION IS FREE.VALLEY INQUIRY FOCUSES ON AN INQUIRY-BASED APPROACH TO TEACHING AND LEARNING. THIS MEANS THAT STUDENTS HAVE AGENCY OVER THEIR LEARNING, WITH TEACHERS SERVING MORE AS GUIDES TO HELP THEM AS THEY INQUIRE INTO THE WORLDS AROUND THEM.VALLEY INQUIRY EMPHASIZES INTERNATIONALISM, MULTICULTURALISM, AND GLOBAL-MINDEDNESS. WE EMBRACE DIVERSITY AS AN IMPORTANT CONSTRUCT THAT HELPS TO SHAPE THE WORLD AROUND US.VALLEY INQUIRY CREATES A SOLID AND CHALLENGING CURRICULUM THAT IS ENRICHED BY MUSIC, SPANISH INSTRUCTION, AND THE ARTS.VALLEY INQUIRY IS A SMALL, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT ROOTED IN THE IB ATTRIBUTES THAT HELP DEFINE US AS AN IB COMMUNITY.

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 September 2005.

    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.