Passes our checks

Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools

EIN 42-1441694 · Dubuque, IA

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

What it says it does

Support student achievement by promoting investment in the Dubuque Public Schools.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 5% 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 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
15 of 15 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
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
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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$155,788 spent. Dubuque Community School District started the Foundation (DCSDF) as a means of developing alternative forms of funding education in our community. The Board examines every possible avenue for raising funds, including applying for grants and solicitations from organizations and firms in the Dubuque area who are served by the Dubuque Community School District. In mid-2008 the Board of Directors entered into a partner affiliate agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD). This arrangement allows the DCSDF to utilize the expertise and resources of the CFGD yet maintain autonomy in decision making and development.Statement continued on Schedule O.A primary function of the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools (FDPS) is to establish endowed and non-endowed funds that support educational initiatives in Dubuque's Public Schools. These funds are managed in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) and they are considered CFGD's assets. They do not appear on FDPS balance sheets or financial statements, so they are not reported on our 990.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

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