Matthew E Russell Found
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We increase Literacy to decrease Poverty. Our Mission is to provide an educationally enriched environment where children have access to advanced technology and books in order to facilitate their interest and passion for higher education and learning We achieve this by providing libraries in underfunded or rural schools, and offering reading programs and educational learning tools. We equip the library with media and technology, computers and ereaders preloaded with books. And lastly by training the educator how to incorporate this tool with their curriculum
- Income
- $274,395
- Spending
- $206,061
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 12.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 29
- Highest pay
- $13,000, co founder
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. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (5)
- $63,199 spent. Building construction - Classrooms-we provided a concrete block structure that was approximately 1500 square feet. It was designed to allocate space for two different classrooms in the school. We used local laborers and carpenters to construct exterior and also install the windows and doors. Trades like painter and electrician finished the interior and exterior. This school has expanded since last year and did not have space for enrollment ( approx. 300 students) and the local village of 600 households.
- $15,726 spent. Library Media - We provide desktop computers, laptops, e-readers and a large screen monitor for group learning. We partner with Worldreader to provide kindles preloaded with literary classics along with e-books in their home language. And the selections are within the different phases of educations to assist with vocabulary and comprehension of the English language. The older students love that we provide the technology and has kept their interest to complete their education even as other influences are pulling them to quit. A majority of the rural schools in South Africa have no functional library system. We have changed the mindset and culture in that region as a result of the library donations we have provided over the years.
- $46,822 spent. Training in the school. There are rural communities all over the biosphere where children have never had the opportunity to experience the world through reading. Most of the teachers come from this background, even as they have gone to school to receive their degree . Most have not used a library or had access to this educational resource tool. So there is a lot of training that needs to happen for the teacher to feel comfortable with using a library with their students. So we have to spend extra time with teachers so they can understand the importance of the library. And also how to set up a library and the different subjects that can be enhanced with library books . We have developed a training manual and each school that receives a library donation must commit to several days of training before the library is turned over to the school. This core group is comprised of the principal, several teachers and students from each grade to be the over site for the school until a suitable librarian can be hired. We have volunteers, teachers and also retired librarians that travel internationally to assist with the training. Our budget includes international travel cost for the volunteers plus food and lodging
- $17,596 spent. Partnership with local school to assist with basic needs: school security was lacking so we assisted with fencing around the property by purchasing the material and having parent do the installation. It was a solution to help safe guard the technology that is in the library that was gifted by the foundation. Which allows entry to parents, teachers and students only during school hours . The power supply in the rural areas is not consistent; they often have rolling brown out so the foundation was able to assist with an electrical inverter that stores electricity in a battery for when there is no power being distributed by the electrical supplier. This allow them to use and charge devices for use daily.
- $37,644 spent. Additional Team member travel cost
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
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 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 September 2013.
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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