Populus Academy Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide educational support and academic resources to high school students with a specific focus on promoting student-led scientific research. The Foundations main goal is to empower youth by funding academic competition awards offering free research courses and providing accessible mentorship to under-resourced students thereby fostering critical thinkers creative problem-solvers and compassionate global citizens.
- Income
- $101,075
- Spending
- $7,775
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (2)
- $5,500 spent. Provided comprehensive mentorship professional guidance and logistical support for high school students participating in top-tier national and international scientific research and business competitions such as ISEF the Diamond Challenge and the Conrad Challenge. Activities included organizing student participation covering related travel and professional service expenses and preparing students for rigorous academic presentations. This initiative directly supported students in achieving academic excellence and building critical problem-solving skills.
- $2,275 spent. Developed and delivered free scientific research courses and educational resources to under-resourced high school students. The program provided accessible mentorship software tools and foundational academic support to students lacking local research opportunities empowering them to initiate their own student-led projects and fostering long-term intellectual curiosity.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.
Recognized by the IRS in October 2025. It is too new to have a track record.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Academy Foundation (Beverly Hills, CA), EIN 95-2243698. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.