Fiscal Challenge Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 8% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Fiscal Challenge Inc. provides experiential educational programming focused on fiscal policy economics budgeting and public policy analysis. Through a nationwide collegiate competition students develop analytical research presentation and policy-making skills by creating long-term fiscal solutions and presenting recommendations to professionals and subject matter experts. The organization coordinates educational programming competition events networking opportunities and policy-focused experiential learning activities designed to prepare students for careers and graduate study in economics public policy government and related fields. Programming includes student engagement opportunities educational resources public policy analysis exercises live presentation events mentorship and career exploration programming.
- Income
- $200,304
- Spending
- $157,998
- Spent on programs
- 8%
- Reserves
- 8.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $16,816, program 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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Spending floor
0 of 158% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 12 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 0 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.
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)
- $12,034 spent. Fiscal Challenge Inc. provided experiential educational programming designed to enhance students understanding of fiscal policy economics and public policy analysis. Through a nationwide collegiate competition students researched and developed long-term fiscal policy solutions prepared analytical presentations and presented recommendations to professionals and subject matter experts. The organization coordinated educational resources student engagement activities networking opportunities and live competition events that helped participants strengthen research analytical communication and leadership skills while gaining exposure to careers in economics government and public policy.
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 October 2014.
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.