Friends of School in the Square Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF, AND PROMOTING, A CHARTER SCHOOL (INCLUDING BY RAISING FUNDS) AND, AFTER THE CREATION OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL, OPERATING AS THE FUNDRAISING ARM OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL. IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE PURPOSES, THE CORPORATION SHALL CONDUCT ANY AND ALL LAWFUL ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY BE USEFULL IN ACCOMPLISHING THE FOREGOING PURPOSES.
- Income
- $9.1 million
- Spending
- $11.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 74%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 7
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: 52 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 93% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 56% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% 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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
- $11.7 million spent. FRIENDS OF SCHOOL IN THE SQUARE'S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL IN THE SQUARE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ("S2"). THIS OBJECTIVE WAS REALIZED THROUGH THREE MAIN MAJOR PROGRAMS: A. OUTREACH TO PROSPECTIVE DONORS BY FRIENDS AND S2 BOARD MEMBERS.B. "FRIENDRAISER" EVENTS FOR A TARGETED SMALL GROUP OF DONORS AND PROSPECTIVE DONORS TO UPDATE THEM IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING ON S2 ACHIEVEMENTS AND GOALS.C. ANNUAL S2 FUNDRAISER EVENT AT THE SCHOOL FOR EXISTING DONORS, PROSPECTIVE DONORS AND SCHOOL SUPPORTERS.
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 October 13, 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 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 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.