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Field School Inc

EIN 52-0960218 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STUDENTS DISCOVER THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES AND DISTINCTIVE PATHS TO BECOME EMPATHETIC, CREATIVE THINKERS WHO ACT BOLDLY TO SHAPE OUR SHARED FUTURE. SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$30.7 million
Spending
$22.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
148
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$810,269, head of school

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

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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)
  1. $18.7 million spent. THE FIELD SCHOOL (WASHINGTON, DC) PRIDES ITSELF ON PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH "A PURPOSEFUL EDUCATION." FOUNDED IN 1972, THE FIELD SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED BY OUR FOUNDER, ELIZABETH ELY, TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN INQUIRY-BASED CURRICULUM ENCOMPASSING ORGANIZED "FIELDS" OF KNOWLEDGE-TAUGHT IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT STRESSED DIALOGUE, ANALYTIC THINKING, AND LARGER LESSONS OF HOW YOUNG PEOPLE COULD GROW TO BECOME GENEROUS, RESPONSIBLE, AND SELF-KNOWING ADULTS. TODAY, WE CONTINUE THIS TRAJECTORY WITH A PEDAGOGY THAT IS RELEVANT, ENGAGING, MEANINGFUL, AND JOYFUL. THE FIELD SCHOOL'S CORE VALUES ARE CREATIVE & CONNECTED, INQUISITIVE & INCLUSIVE, REFELCTIVE & RESILIENT.

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

  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 June 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 March 1973.

    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.