United Math Circles Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of the United Math Circles Foundation (UMCF) is to enrich the mathematical education and to advance mathematical knowledge and skills among the students in grades 1 to 12, at the Berkeley Math Circle-Upper, Berkeley Math Circle-Elementary, San Jose Math Circle, and any other circles and similar programs that fall under its organizational and financial umbrella, and to carry on other charitable and educational activities associated with this goal. The UMCF facilitates mathematical circles and similar programs to emulate famous Eastern European models, draw kids to mathematics, prepare them for mathematical contests, introduce them to the wonders of beautiful mathematical theories, and encourage them to undertake future careers linked with mathematics, whether as mathematicians, mathematics educators, economists, or business entrepreneurs. The UMCF programs aim at providing an interaction media and stimulating environment, both encouraging further involvement from students al
- Income
- $551,286
- Spending
- $619,257
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 14.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 46
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $108,705, 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
Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 12 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
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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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 (2)
- $193,880 spent. BMC Elementary is the after-school math program that has 877 students enrolled 1st-4th graders preparing for math contest, careers in math, theories, etc.(Fall and Spring, session is 1 hr) 30 sessions x 1 hr x 12 classes per week ( 9 classes on Tuesday, 3 classes on Wednesday) + (Summer, each session is 3 hr) (5 morning + 2 afternoon sessions) x 3 hr x 5 instructors = 360 + 75 = 435 hr/yr.
- $172,509 spent. BMC Upper is the after-school math program that has 893 students enrolled 5th - 12th grade studying to become math scientists, educators, etc.BMC: 5 levels meet once a week for an average of 1.75 hours each week for two semesters of 15 weeks each, including two final colloquiums. MTRW: 4 levels meet once a week for 3hrs, split into 1hr topics for two semesters of 15 weeks each.
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
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 June 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 July 2014.
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.