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The Schools Foundation Inc

EIN 58-1955411 · Huntsville, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Foundation serves as an education advocate and provides a central voice for strategic engagement on issues relating to education which impact our schools. We interact with local and state leaders and education stakeholders, while serving as a vehicle for individuals and businesses to support public education in Madison County.

Income
$630,960
Spending
$511,985
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
21 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
2
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$70,350, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 (5)
  1. $171,898 spent. Provide support for initiatives that promote high expectations for professional leadership and financial Support for educational needs across districts with focus on cross-district collaboration. Suport includes the Elevate Our Educators Program and support of other educational programs. (Expenses $ 40,000 including grants of $ 40,000) Madison County School System's GEMS: This is a gifted education program for students in Madison County schools that allows them to explore subjects and concepts in-depth and work on "out of the box" ideas (Expenses $ 38,065 including grants of $ 38,065) PATRONS AND PLAYERS FUND EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE EXTRACURRICULAR ENDEAVORS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS THROUGH FINANCIAL DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, SPONSORS, AND FAMILIES. WE BELIEVE THAT NO STUDENT SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE SIDELINES BASED ON FIANCIAL NEED. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL, CLUB, AND CITY LEAGUE SPORTS AS WELL AS MUSIC, DRAMA AND ART EXTRACURRICULARS.
  2. $108,575 spent. NBCT - RAISE YOUR HAND IS A BOLD INITIATIVE TO HAVE THE NATION'S HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS, OR NBCTS, IN OUR HUNTSVILLE CITY, MADISON CITY, AND MADISON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEMS. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IS THE MOST RESPECTED PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE IN K-12 EDUCATION. THE INITIATIVE IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE CREATIVE CITIES FUND, THE PHILANTHROPIC ARM OF THE HUNTSVILLE COMMITTEE OF 100, AND THE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION. THE $1 MILLION GOAL WILL FUND 500 NEW NBCTS IN FIVE YEARS ACROSS THE THREE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN MADISON COUNTY.
  3. $49,773 spent. Early Literacy Program - The program provides teachers with high-quality reading instruction training to enable children to become confident and skilled readers. (Expenses $ 40,000 including grants of $ 40,000) Madison County School System's GEMS: This is a gifted education program for students in Madison County schools that allows them to explore subjects and concepts in-depth and work on "out of the box" ideas (Expenses $ 38,065 including grants of $ 38,065) PATRONS AND PLAYERS FUND EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE EXTRACURRICULAR ENDEAVORS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS THROUGH FINANCIAL DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, SPONSORS, AND FAMILIES. WE BELIEVE THAT NO STUDENT SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE SIDELINES BASED ON FIANCIAL NEED. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL, CLUB, AND CITY LEAGUE SPORTS AS WELL AS MUSIC, DRAMA AND ART EXTRACURRICULARS.
  4. $40,000 spent. Madison County School System's GEMS: This is a gifted education program for students in Madison County schools that allows them to explore subjects and concepts in-depth and work on "out of the box" ideas
  5. $38,065 spent. PATRONS AND PLAYERS FUND EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE EXTRACURRICULAR ENDEAVORS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS THROUGH FINANCIAL DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, SPONSORS, AND FAMILIES. WE BELIEVE THAT NO STUDENT SHOULD BE LEFT ON THE SIDELINES BASED ON FIANCIAL NEED. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL, CLUB, AND CITY LEAGUE SPORTS AS WELL AS MUSIC, DRAMA AND ART EXTRACURRICULARS.

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 November 6, 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 October 1991.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.