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Topanga Mountain School Inc

EIN 52-2296755 · Woodland Hls, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceWeak16 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OFFER A UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION IN CORE SUBJECTS, INSPIRES A LOVE OF LEARNINGAND CULTIVATES COMPASSIONATE, WELL-ROUNDEDSOLID EDUCATION ENRICHED BY ART, MUSIS, DRAMA AND IMMERSION IN SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH RICH OUTDOOR EDUCATION; INCLUDES WEEKLY FILED TRIPS, INTEGRATED CURRICULUM MATERIALS, EXPOSURE TO LOCAL CULTURE, SPECIALISTS AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$981,927
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
6

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 16 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 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. $779,317 spent. TOPANGA MOUNTAIN SCHOOL OFFERS A UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FOR A SOLID FOUNDATION IN CORE SUBJECTS, INSPIRES A LOVE OF LEARNING AND CULTIVATES COMPASSIONATE, WELL-ROUNDED CITIZENS. TMS PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED EDUCATION THAT IS ENRICHED BY ART, MUSIC, AND DRAMA. IMMERSION IN SOCIETAL AND ENVIRIONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES ACHIEVED THORUGH A RICHOUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT INCLUDE CAMPING, WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS, EXPOSURE TO LOCAL CULTURE, SPECIALISTS AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.