Rise-Reaching and Inspiring Success Through Education Corp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
RISE serves to close the education and opportunity gaps that exist between East Palo Alto and its neighboring communities. We empower our youth to create their own vision for the future and foster their self-confidence to make it happen. It is our intention that students leave RISE feeling proud of their accomplishments and eager to inspire future generations to make a lasting impact on their community.
- Income
- $840,724
- Spending
- $559,906
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 12.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $53,625, co-founding 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $144,300 spent. Our organizations Early RISErs program is a cornerstone of our services catering to infants and caregivers through engaging weekly classes. Focused on early literacy health nutrition and social well-being this program is designed to provide a holistic approach to child development. We are proud to announce that our team has undergone specialized training to conduct ASQ screenings a crucial tool in identifying and addressing potential early learning challenges. Complementing the Early RISErs initiative we have our Mommy Moments a vital program offering caregivers dedicated time to share concerns seek support and exchange ideas in a nurturing environment. This weekly gathering has proven to be instrumental in enhancing the overall well-being of participants. Furthermore our commitment to fostering community engagement and family bonding is evident through our Family Fun Days initiative. These events held during the summer months welcome families from the wider community to join us for a day of family-friendly and engaging activities at the LBH playground. From art projects to water play and interactive movement sessions Family Fun Days provide a safe and stimulating environment for young children and their families to enjoy quality time together. By extending these invitations to all families we ensure that our events are inclusive promoting a sense of belonging and togetherness within the community.
- $195,000 spent. The RISE Elementary After School Program is a multifaceted initiative that provides after-school tutoring mentoring social-emotional learning enrichment activities and valuable experiences for students. Through a focus on enhancing self-esteem life skills and building confidence the program aims to support the holistic development of each child. By fostering collaboration between families and educators we create a comprehensive support system that nurtures academic growth and personal well-being. In our Middle and High School program we offer a wide range of services designed to empower students during these critical years. From academic tutoring and social-emotional learning to mental health support career exploration extracurricular activities and community service opportunities we strive to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed. By partnering with various youth organizations we ensure that our students receive holistic support that addresses their academic emotional and social needs fostering a supportive environment for growth and development.
- $37,500 spent. The Little Blue House Birth-5 Collaborative is a key initiative that we oversee uniting multiple nonprofit organizations in San Mateo County to support families with young children aged 0-5. Through this collaborative effort our partners deliver a range of essential services to enhance early childhood development such as playgroups parent education classes and health screenings. The Little Blue House continues to be a safe welcoming space for our partners to engage directly with families in East Palo Alto fostering a community hub where families can convene engage in discussions on pertinent topics and access vital resources. Our overarching goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment that empowers families to address issues affecting their lives positively.
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 February 2015.
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.