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West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation

EIN 42-1355170 · Wdm, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ACTIVELY SEEK PRIVATE FUNDS (AND TO COORDINATE FUNDS ENTRUSTED TO ITS CARE) THAT ENSURE EACH STUDENT, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER MEANS, HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH HIS OR HER FULLEST POTENTIAL.

Income
$624,962
Spending
$546,675
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
130

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (3)
  1. $300,796 spent. THE FOUNDATION ACTIVELY SEEKS FUNDING FOR THE 13 SCHOOLS IN THE WEST DES MOINES COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: SCHOOL PROGRAMS, TIGER PRIDE SUPPLIES, VALLEY AFTER PROM COMMITTEE, FRIENDS OF VALLEY DEBATE, VALLEY VOICES, VALLEY PTO, VALLEY DRAMA AND MANY OTHER PROGRAMS.
  2. $227,992 spent. THE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EXPANDS THE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY INVOLVING AND ASSISTING THE COMMUNITY IN THE SUPPORT OF STUDENTS AND IN THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL. THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO OVER 100 DISTRICT GRADUATES EACH YEAR.
  3. $500 spent. THE STAFF RECOGNITION PROGRAM IS A CITIZEN-BASED PROGRAM THAT ORGANIZES AN ANNUAL RECEPTION TO HONOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF PERSONNEL REACHING YEARS OF SERVICE MILESTONES.

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 November 6, 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 October 1988.

    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 November 4, 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.