Classroom Champions Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission to empower children to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through the mentorship and mindsets of world-class athletes.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $4.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $131,154, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 89% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, 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 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (1)
- $3.4 million spent. Classroom Champions increased outreach, bringing over 30,000 students Athlete Mentors and reaching more than 5,000,000 students through mission partnerships and programs across the country. We invested in updating our education platform and curriculum to adapt to the changes needed in schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, brought on new partners and donors, and increased the number of Olympians, Paralympians, NCAA student-athletes, and professional athletes donating their services as mentors. A testament to improving organizational structure shone through this year in improved outcomes. Student performance metrics were the best and most detailed we've seen to date. Our research showed strong student increases in grit and growth mindset factors, engagement in school, interpersonal skills, and digital engagement. As we continue to ensure we are addressing all the needs of our stakeholders, a robust teacher planning and development program was created that yielded increases in teacher performance and engagement. Throughout the summer and on a monthly basis during the school year, over 15 online webinars were offered to professionally develop teachers across the organization. Athlete Mentor training was also improved and delivered as webinar and in-person training and monthly messaging to ensure quality video lesson creation. Athlete engagement was the highest we've seen to date and their amazing dedication was reflected in the quality of their lessons and in turn in student learning and outcomes. We saw entire communities captivated by Classroom Champions as we brought together parents, volunteers, and students. From Portland, OR to Philadelphia, PA to Maitland, FL and many places in between, mentors coming to town translated into thousands more students and family members being impacted.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 2025.
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 June 2011.
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.
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.