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Scholarship Foundation of St Louis

EIN 43-6031234 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BASED ON A CONVICTION THAT AN EDUCATED SOCIETY IS ESSENTIAL TO A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY, THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF ST. LOUIS SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO AND THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS, INTEREST-FREE LOANS, AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES.

Income
$13.8 million
Spending
$10.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
37.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
19
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$277,188, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 37.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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, 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. $7.8 million spent. OPERATING ON A NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS, THE FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS AND RENEWABLE INTEREST-FREE, FEE-FREE LOANS TO APPLICANTS WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL NEED WHO DEMONSTRATE SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND GOOD CHARACTER AND ARE FROM THE PROGRAM'S ELIGIBLE SERVICE AREA OR GRADUATE FROM AN ELIGIBLE HIGH SCHOOL. DURING 2025, 546 STUDENTS WERE AWARDED A TOTAL OF $5,409,790 IN SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS AND $1,063,800 IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS.
  2. $836,398 spent. THE FOUNDATION'S STUDENT ADVISING PROGRAM PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID AND MAKE ENROLLMENT DECISIONS. STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS OR INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM THE FOUNDATION ARE ASSIGNED A STUDENT ADVISOR, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SUPPORT AND ADVISING THROUGHOUT COLLEGE.
  3. $268,667 spent. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS STUDENTS A POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING AN EDUCATED SOCIETY. FOUNDATION STUDENTS ARE IN THE STRONGEST POSITION TO LEAD THIS EFFORT SINCE THEY ARE NAVIGATING BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION. IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION ENGAGED SELECTED STUDENTS IN A POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN WHICH THEY RESEARCHED SPECIFIC ISSUES, DEVELOPED THE FOUNDATION'S POLICY PLATFORM, AND ADVOCATED FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AT THE STATE, FEDERAL, AND CAMPUS LEVELS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 February 1983.

    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.