Passes our checks

Educate Bwindi

EIN 47-4260037 · Chicago, IL

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

What it says it does

To provide support to educate the most vulnerable children in Bwindi, Uganda, to help them to build better futures for themselves and their families.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
4 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 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.
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 September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$211,079 spent. We helped to support the operations of Bwindi Watoto elementary school through financial assistance for operation and infrastructure, as well as administrative and technical support through volunteers. During the school year beginning in early calendar year 2024, the school had approximately 200 students in pre-kindergarten through seventh grade. Most students board at the school and receive nutritious food. Class sizes at the school are limited to 22, unusual in Uganda. In 2024, the school continued to have the highest test scores in the district.
$35,442 spent. We helped to support more than forty graduates of the school in obtaining secondary and post-secondary education through support given to Bwindi Community Program and through the administration of Bwindi Watoto School.
$2,000 spent. The president of the organization travels to Bwindi, Uganda and visits the school on an annual basis. She visits with the children and provides technical and educational assistance and training and personally observes the use of grant funds.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 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 2016.
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.