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Fund for Educational Excellence Inc

EIN 52-1129402 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EXPAND RESOURCES, IDENTIFY AND ACCELERATE SOLUTIONS, AND RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE SO THAT ALL CHILDREN IN BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPERIENCE AN EFFECTIVE AND ADEQUATE EDUCATION.

Income
$30.7 million
Spending
$27.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
134
Highest pay
$320,998, president & ceo

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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 (4)
  1. $16.1 million spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP - The Fund provides high-level financial and grant management expertise to a range of mission-aligned local regional nonprofit organizations and community programs. As a fiscal sponsor, we support our clients financial and human resource operations, including detailed budget management and financial reporting services, allowing organizations to focus on their programmatic goals which often include developing innovative educational reforms and expanding student access to high-quality education.
  2. $7.1 million spent. DISTRICT FUNDRAISING - The Fund works closely with Baltimore City Public Schools to raise and secure external investment that supports the districts highest priority needs. As a trusted partner, we help identify those needs, target potential funding sources, and provide fiscal management for those philanthropic investments. We are currently managing grant funding raised on behalf of the school district from both local and national funders.
  3. $1.2 million spent. ACCELERATE SOLUTIONS - With community input, The Fund identifies challenges, researches and develops recommendations, and pushes for innovative solutions to improve Baltimore City Public Schools policies, processes, and programs. We regularly publish reports that combine strong analytics with community input to address some of the most pressing problems facing our students, we provide on-demand workshops to help students and families navigate the districts school choice process for middle and high school, we partner with Baltimore City Public Schools Office of Early Learning and local providers to expand Pre-K options to 3- and 4-year olds, and run an early-childhood development program that provides parents of pre-school age children with effective parenting strategies for behavioral management and skills to support their childrens academic success.
  4. $404,401 spent. RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE - The Fund manages the Heart of the Schools, a year-round program that celebrates and supports Baltimore City Public School principals through grants, recognition, and events for their hard work, dedication, and positive impact on Baltimores students and communities. Created in 2016 in collaboration with local businesses, foundations, individuals, and nonprofits, the Heart of the Schools shows principals that they are appreciated, supported, and celebrated by all of Baltimore.

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 February 1979.

    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.