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Nelson Mandela Elementary School Inc

EIN 47-1348136 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF NELSON MANDELA ELEMENTARY IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY INSTRUCTION THAT DEMONSTRATES ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN AND DEVELOP ACADEMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, SOCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY. NELSON MANDELA ELEMENTARY IS COMMITTED TO MAXIMIZING THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS AND BRIDGING LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT GAPS.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
64
Volunteers
320
Highest pay
$278,405, superintendent/director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 519% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $3.9 million spent. NELSON MANDELA ELEMENTARY OPENED ITS DOORS TO 100 KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE STUDENTS IN AUGUST OF 2015. ADDING A GRADE EACH YEAR, THE SCHOOL IS NOW AT ITS FULL COMPLEMENT OF GRADES K-5 WITH 225 SCHOLARS. 85% OF THE SCHOLARS CAME FROM WITHIN 1.5 MILES OF THE SCHOOL. WITH A HIGH POPULATION OF FAMILIES WHO QUALIFIED THROUGH DIRECT CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS, WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CEP (COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM) FEDERAL FOOD REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS AWARDED TO SCHOOLS WHO HAVE AT LEAST 85% OF THE POPULATION THAT WOULD QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH. THE RACIAL MAKE-UP OF THE SCHOOL IS 97% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 1% CAUCASIAN, AND 2% HISPANIC AND ASIAN.THE FIVE INITIATIVES THAT MAKE NELSON MANDELA UNIQUE ARE: 1) SPALDING READING, 2) MINDFULNESS, 3) RECESS EVERY 90 MINUTES, 4) ALL SCHOLARS PLAY VIOLIN, AND 5) YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL. A CLIMATE SURVEY ISSUED TO ALL SCHOLARS AND FAMILIES REFLECTED A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND APPROVAL OF THE UNIQUE INITIATIVES. PARENTS DO NOT PAY TUITION FOR THEIR SCHOLAR TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL, BUT ARE REQUIRED TO VOLUNTEER. AT THIS TIME THERE IS A WAITING LIST FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. THE NELSON MANDELA EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER (ECDC) OPENED IN MARCH OF 2019 WITH 32 CHILDREN. IN AUGUST OF 2019, THE ECDC WELCOMED 64 SCHOLARS AND HAS KEPT THAT ENROLLMENT CONSISTENT. THERE IS NO TUITION CHARGE, AND FAMILIES MUST ENGAGE 35 HOURS A YEAR AT SCHOOL. THE ECDC IS LICENSED AND USES THE HIGH SCOPE CURRICULUM. THE ECDC HAS ATTAINED STEP FOUR ON THE STEP UP TO QUALITY EVALUATION.NELSON MANDELA ECDC IS DESIGNED TO BE A CATALYST THAT HELPS CHILDREN REACH THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS, FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND. COMMITTED TO BUILDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR ALL LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, NELSON MANDELA ECDC HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGN FUTURE SCHOLARS AND FAMILIES TO STAY ENGAGED IN LEARNING AND GROWING. THE ECDC PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES 3-5 YEARS. THE CENTER HAS A YEAR-ROUND, FULL-DAY SCHEDULE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 February 2015.

    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.