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Pseads

EIN 47-2416189 · San Anselmo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Education- we design and implement programs and projects cultivating critical literacies, writing, science, service learning and social justice. We work with students in k-college, and with educators and adults.

Income
$460,953
Spending
$317,213
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$70,000, coo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 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 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 157% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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 August 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)
  1. $274,439 spent. EducationPseads designs and implements educational programs that cultivate critical literacy, writing, science learning, and community engagement. The organization serves students in K-12 and higher education, as well as educators and adult learners, advancing learning experiences that integrate inquiry, reflection, creativity, and collaboration to strengthen voice, agency, and academic engagement.Three Largest ProgramsHope on the RizePseads launched the fourth year of Hope on the Rize, a writing and media-creation initiative serving students from grades 5 through college. The program integrates creativity, technical skill-building, emotional well-being, and personal growth while developing transferable skills aligned with educational success and career readiness, including resilience, community engagement, and creative problem-solving. During the year, more than 1,400 students across five Bay Area school districts participated, producing over 1,100 films. Pseads also convened a council of mentors to celebrate student achievement and elevate youth voices, and partnered with a global tree-planting initiative to plant more than 1,100 trees one for every completed film.Blue Skies, Bright Star Poetry & Science ProgramPseads designed and implemented the tenth year of the Blue Skies, Bright Star Poetry & Science Program in collaboration with classroom teachers. The program provides a 6- or 8-week learning experience for students in grades K-5 that integrates reflective writing, poetry, and science to foster curiosity, creativity, storytelling, self-expression, and collaboration. During the year, more than 1,500 students across six Bay Area school districts participated. The program supports equity, asset-based learning, arts-science integration, and community building while providing meaningful opportunities for student engagement and literacy development. Students who have struggled with school engagement and literacy have demonstrated increased participation, confidence, and success through this program. Lambert Light Youth Fellowship ProgramPseads implemented a new Youth Fellowship Program, welcoming five inaugural Fellows from high school and college communities. The program supports young people in developing leadership, research, storytelling, and community-engagement skills. Through mentorship, reflective inquiry, and project-based learning, Fellows design and complete original research and creative projects addressing issues relevant to their lives and communities. The program provides opportunities for youth to strengthen communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement while contributing to community knowledge and dialogue. During the year, Fellows conducted independent projects, participated in mentorship and leadership development activities, and shared their findings and creative work with peers, educators, and community members.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 February 2015.

    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.