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Passes our checks

Starfall Education Foundation

EIN 46-4463460 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FREE AND LOW-COST INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES WHEREBY CHILDREN HAVE FUN LEARNING THROUGH EXPLORATION, GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION FOR DIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
34.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
31
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$226,231, president

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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. $5.3 million spent. THE FOUNDATION, THROUGH ITS WEBSITE STARFALL.COM, OFFERS FREE AND LOW-COST INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES WHEREBY CHILDREN CAN SUCCESSFULLY LEARN THROUGH EXPLORATION. IT CONTINUES THE TRADITION OF ITS PREDECESSOR, A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOUNDED IN 2002, AS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN HAVE FUN LEARNING TO READ. CURRENTLY, IT INCLUDES THE CORE SUBJECTS OF LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS FOR PRE-K, KINDERGARTEN, AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE LEVELS. IT TEACHES THROUGH POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TO HELP CHILDREN BECOME CONFIDENT AND INTRINSICALLY MOTIVATED. THE FOUNDATION PRODUCES AND DISTRIBUTES THE FOLLOWING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS: INTERACTIVE GAMES, VIDEOS, MOVIES, E-BOOKS, AUDIO BOOKS, EDUCATIONAL SONGS, DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS, LESSON PLANS, CLASSROOM CURRICULA, PRINTED BOOKS, PRACTICE BOOKS, ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND TEACHING TOOLS. THESE ARE PRIMARILY DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE STARFALL.COM WEBSITE. MANY OF STARFALL'S DIGITAL ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON MOBILE APPS. STARFALL OFFERS LOW-COST MEMBERSHIP WHICH EXPANDS ITS FREE CONTENT TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL GAMES, E-BOOKS, MOVIES AND SONGS. BENEFITS OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE PREFERRED AND UNLIMITED ACCESS TO STARFALL.COM FROM TABLET, MOBILE PHONE OR COMPUTER DURING A ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP PERIOD. THE FOUNDATION ALSO MAINTAINS A FREE WEBSITE AT PUMEROSA.COM TO HELP SPANISH LANGUAGE SPEAKERS LEARN ENGLISH.

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 December 2014.

    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.