Funding the Future
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of Funding the Future is to educate students across the country on the importance of smart financial decisions through a multimedia presentation including music video and an inspirational message shared by a musical celebrity. Funding the Future emphasizes the importance of financial literacy at a young age.
- Income
- $333,908
- Spending
- $379,269
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 66%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $68,640, executive 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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 46% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 10 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
7 of 7Has a 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 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 (1)
- $321,023 spent. In 2025 Funding the Future reached 24,967 students across 68 schools in 8 states. Student demographics were approximately 48.18% White 42.87% Black 14.49% Hispanic 1.80% Asian 1.55% American Indian or Alaska Native 0.17% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.13% Two or More Races. Of the schools served an average of 52.74% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch reinforcing our focus on reaching low- to moderate-income communities. During each program students actively engaged by asking questions about saving credit management avoiding financial pitfalls steering clear of predatory lending and investing for the future. Schools were provided with a curriculum packet to support pre- and post-show learning aligned with national standards set by the Council for Economic Education CEE and the Jumptart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Our artists continuously refine program delivery based on feedback from students and educators to ensure relevance and impact. Post-program evaluation data shows strong outcomes: school staff ratings of the musical and financial literacy components averaged 4.55 out of 5; student ratings averaged approximately 4.41 out of 5; student self-reported financial knowledge increased from 3.19 pre-show to 4.19 post-show; and the likelihood of taking steps to improve financial futures averaged 4.18 out of 5. Students who completed surveys received free music downloads and were directed to our website for additional financial literacy resources extending learning beyond the live experience.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.