Boulder School for German Language and Culture
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Provide in-person German language courses to children and teens in and around the Boulder Colorado area as this is not a language provided by the local schools. Other schools are in Denver area but not convenient for children/teens to attend in-person. The school also provides online German language courses to adults in and around the Boulder Colorado area but allow adults from anywhere to attend the online courses. The school also provides some in-person courses for adults based on interest. Our language classes are open to students of all ages and skill levels The school provides adults the opportunity to take the A1 and A2 exams. Passing the A1 exam allows a student to request a visa to live in and passing the A2 is one of the criteria needed for seeking employment in Germany. The school provides teens the opportunity to take exams that if passed would allow Students to apply for admission to a German university.
- Income
- $233,203
- Spending
- $250,647
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 91%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $42,010, president
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 8 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
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.
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 (2)
- $205,216 spent. For 2025 overall student enrollment increased by 9 percent from 287 students to 314 students. Children classes are now being taught in person full time which seems to have helped with the increase in enrollments. Some children and teen classes are taught online based on interest. Adult and Private lessons continue to be online and has helped attract students outside of Boulder County. With some in-person adult classes starting up again after the pandemic. Adults and Teens continue to take exams for German Language proficiency with a pass rate of 100%. Important note that by passing the Adult A2 exam, students are eligible to work in Germany. Teens who pass their exams are eligible to attend University in Germany. Classes are open to anyone and are advertised on the schools Website and Social Media.
- $4,063 spent. To cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the German culture, events are held during the year that are meant to be fun mostly for children and parents. The school held a Maifest event, St Martins or Lantern Walk event, and Lichterfest event this year. Due to the changing demographics of our students the school changed the name of the St Nicholas event to Lichterfest to be more inclusive of those that do not celebrate Christmas. The cost increased this year over past years as the events were larger and more students attended. The school does not charge for the events but relies on donations taken during the event. Some supplies are donated as well to help reduce the costs. Donations were up this year from prior years as the School added the ability to pay with credit card at the events. We have not normally tracked the number of attendees but plan to have attendees register in advance in 2025 to help with determining the popularity of these events and the cost benefit of each event
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 March 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 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.