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Upward Scholars

EIN 45-4128140 · Redwood City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Upward Scholars provides adult immigrants the boost they need to move up the economic ladder through education and career development support.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
9
Highest pay
$114,069, programs 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $518,373 spent. Career Development: Career development programs, including vocational and entrepreneurship pathways, help students build workforce skills, complete career training, and advance toward sustainable employment and economic mobility in fields such as early childhood education, business, healthcare, and other high-demand sectors. Services include academic and career advising, internships, entrepreneurship training, professional development opportunities, educational stipends, licensing and certification support. Specialized programs such as TeacherUp and BusinessUp support students pursuing careers in early childhood education, entrepreneurship, and business-related pathways.
  2. $244,420 spent. Financial Support: Upward Scholars provides financial support to help students overcome economic barriers that may interfere with their education, career training, and persistence toward degree or certificate completion. Financial assistance may include scholarships, emergency funds, food gift cards, transportation support, textbook and course material assistance, educational stipends, graduation expenses, and payment or reimbursement of licensing, certification, registration, other required educational expenses or for required workforce preparation expenses. Support is provided through direct vendor payments, reimbursements, gift cards, stipends, or other approved student assistance methods.
  3. $152,967 spent. Holistic Support: Upward Scholars provides holistic support services that build on the resilience and strengths of students as they pursue educational, career, and personal goals. Services support students mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing and include resource navigation and referrals, emotional and spiritual counseling, support groups, peer communitybuilding opportunities, and written references for employment, housing, legal, scholarships, and other essential needs. Upward Scholars also fosters connection and belonging through moderated student communication groups and partnerships with community resources, including counseling, legal assistance, disability services, domestic violence support, and other social service programs. These services help students and their families strengthen stability, wellbeing, and long-term success.
  4. $132,240 spent. Academic Support: Upward Scholars provides academic support programs that help students strengthen English language confidence,, succeed in community college coursework, and advance toward certificates, degrees, career training, and university transfer. Services include tutoring and mentoring, English conversation practice, workshops, scholarship and transfer support, and assistance with graduation and honor society participation. These programs build students confidence, academic skills, and educational success while promoting long-term economic mobility for students and their families.

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 October 13, 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 July 2010.

    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 October 21, 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.