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Independence Mission Schools

EIN 45-4720688 · Kng of Prussa, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceReports resultsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INDEPENDENCE MISSION SCHOOLS MANAGES A NETWORK OF CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGH A CENTRAL OFFICE LOCATION WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ALL OF THE SCHOOLS. THE MISSION OF IMS IS TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION TO NEARLY 4,000 CHILDREN OF ALL FAITHS IN UNDERSERVED URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH A NEW MODEL OF GOVERNANCE, FUNDING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MEMBER SCHOOLS.

Income
$36.5 million
Spending
$33.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
580
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$322,004, president and ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 21 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.

  • 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.

Results it reports

  • The organization operates 14 Philadelphia-area neighborhood Catholic schools.Work delivered

Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $30.0 million spent. INDEPENDENCE MISSIONS SCHOOLS FIERCELY BELIEVES IN THELIFE-CHANGINGIMPACT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION. THE SY24-25 WILL MARK THE 13TH YEAR FOR IMS AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT OPERATING 14 PHILADELPHIA-AREA NEIGHBORHOOD CATHOLIC SCHOOLS COMMITTED TO STUDENTACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH. BY CREATING HIGH-ACHIEVING, SAFE AND LOVING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, IMS CONTINUES TO OUTPERFORM NATIONAL AND HIGH-POVERTY LEARNING GROWTH STATISTICSIN BOTH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH. WE CONTINUE TO TRACK TOWARD THEGOALS AS OUTLINED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. WE PREPAREOUR STUDENTSFOR SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND LIFE.DONORS CONTINUE TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT AS WE ENTER THE FINAL 6 MONTHS OF THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

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 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 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 August 2013.

    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.