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Intrinsic Schools

EIN 45-5454261 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF INTRINSIC SCHOOLS IS TO CREATE A REVOLUTIONARY NEW SCHOOL MODEL IN ORDER TO 1) PREPARE ALL STUDENTS FOR POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS AND WORLD-CHANGING ENDEAVORS; AND 2) PROVIDE THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY WITH A ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE IMPLEMENTATION.

Income
$42.2 million
Spending
$37.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
321
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$212,794, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

    9 of 9 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $34.0 million spent. THE SCHOOL IS A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THAT PROMISES TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO TEACHING AND LEARNING IN ORDER TO PERSONALIZE THE EXPERIENCE FOR EACH STUDENT. EACH STUDENT WILL HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL MOBILE DEVICE. IN ORDER TO PREPARE ALL THEIR STUDENTS FOR 21ST CENTURY POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS, THE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS WITH REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES. THE SCHOOL SERVED 938 STUDENTS AT THE SEVENTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE LEVELS AT THE BELMONT CAMPUS AND 691 STUDENTS AT THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AT THE NINTH AND TENTH GRADE LEVEL FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE SCHOOL SERVED 977 STUDENTS AT THE BELMONT CAMPUS AT THE SEVENTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE LEVELS AND 728 STUDENTS AT THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AT THE NINTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE LEVELS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2013.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.