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Madison Public Schools Foundation Inc

EIN 39-2043104 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE EDUCATION OF EVERY CHILD BY RAISING PRIVATE FUNDS, AWARDING GRANTS, DEVELOPING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND ADVOCATING FOR MADISON'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
62.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$159,082, president

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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 62.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (6)
  1. $594,240 spent. GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND FISCAL AGENT SERVICES - SUPPORTS THE DISTRICT'S SCHOOLS, PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND STUDENTS.
  2. $589,089 spent. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - SUPPORTS THE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. THE FOUNDATION MANAGES THREE PROGRAMS IN THIS AREA: THE ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM, SCHOOLS MAKE MADISON SUMMIT, AND THE TEACHER SUPPORT NETWORK.
  3. $90,697 spent. ADVOCATES - PROVIDES AWARENESS AND CAMPAIGNING EFFORTS TO THE DISTRICT.
  4. $62,034 spent. PROJECT ALUMNI - SUPPORTS THE CONNECTING OF ALUMNI WITH FELLOW ALUMNI, FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND STAFF IN ORDER TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT FACILITATES THE DELIVERY OF A WIDE ARRAY OF RESOURCES: INTELLECTUAL, ACADEMIC, CAREER, COLLEGIATE, NETWORKING, AND PHILANTHROPIC.
  5. $1,538 spent. ANY GIVEN CHILD - SUPPORTS THE PARTNERSHIPS OF THE DISTRICT, OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, AND THE CITY OF MADISON THAT IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE A QUALITY, WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE ARTS.
  6. COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - SUPPORTS THE DISTRICT'S PROGRAMS, CREATING A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE PLACE THAT BUILDS ON THE ASSETS OF THE COMMUNITY TO HELP SERVE THE IDENTIFIED NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY THROUGH WELL INTEGRATED AND COORDINATED, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OFFER A SUITE OF INTERCONNECTED SERVICES THAT MAY INCLUDE TUTORING, EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING SUPPORT, MENTORING, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD ACCESS, AND RECREATION AND ARTS ACTIVITIES.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 February 2002.

    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.