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Education Foundation of Sarasota Co Unty Inc

EIN 59-2320858 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS, PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, AND INSPIRE INNOVATION IN EDUCATION, GUIDED BY STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
0
Volunteers
51
Highest pay
$223,288, 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

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (3)
  1. STUDENT PROGRAMS-FUTURE-READY STUDENTS:THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION DELIVERS A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF STUDENT SUPPORT DESIGNED TO ENSURE MORE STUDENTS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE PURPOSE AND CLEAR PLAN FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION. THROUGH ITS FUTURE-READY APPROACH, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES TIERED SERVICES BASED ON STUDENT NEED, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALIZED COACHING, TARGETED INTERVENTIONS, AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO RESOURCES.CORE SERVICES INCLUDE ONE-ON-ONE ADVISING THROUGH STUDENT SUCCESS COACHES AND SCHOOL-BASED RESILIENCY COACHES, INTENSIVE SUPPORT THROUGH THE FUITURE-READY SCHOLARS PROGRAM, AND TARGETED INITIATIVES SUCH AS MENTORING AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE PERSISTENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES WORKSHOPS ON COLLEGE, CAREER, AND FINANCIAL AID READINESS; ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS AND A COMMUNITY-WIDE SCHOLARSHIP DATABASE; AND REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PROVIDERS.THESE PROGRAMS COLLECTIVELY SUPPORT STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND AGENCY NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, CAREER TRAINING, MILITARY SERVICE, OR EMPLOYMENT.
  2. TEACHER SUPPORT PROGRAMS:THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION INVESTS IN EDUCATORS TO STRENGTHEN CLASSROOM INNOVATION, TEACHER LEADERSHIP, AND OVERALL INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY. THROUGH COMPETITIVE TEACHER GRANTS, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY $200,000 ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT CREATIVE AND IMPACTFUL CLASSROOM PROJECTS, WITH A FOCUS ON SERVING TITLE 1 SCHOOLS.ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS RECOGNIZE AND ELEVATE EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS AND EDUCATOR IMPACT FELLOWS PROGRAM. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND ENRICHMENT WORKSHOPS PROVIDE EDUCATORS WITH SPACE TO COLLABORATE, REFLECT AND GROW.TOGETHER THESE EFFORTS SUPPORT TEACHER RETENTION, INNOVATION, AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICES THAT BENEFIT STUDENTS ACROSS SARASOTA COUNTY.
  3. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES-PLANIT SARASOTA AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS:THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE BACKBONE ORGANIZATION FOR PLANIT SARASOTA, THE COUNTY'S LOCAL COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (LCAN), WHICH CONVENES MORE THAT 50 CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS TO IMPROVE POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT. THE COLLABORATIVE WORKS TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO PURSUE AND COMPLETE EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL, WITH A GOAL ALIGNED TO FLORIDA'S STATEWIDE ATTAINMENT TARGETS.KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE FAFSA COMPLETION EVENTS, COLLEGE AND CAREER EXPLORATION EXPERIENCES, AND REGIONAL EFFORTS TO RE-ENGAGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT OF COLLEGE OR FAILED TO ENROLL AFTER ACCEPTANCE. THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS, THE FOUNDATION ADDRESSES SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND ALIGNS COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS.THESE INITIATIVES EXTEND THE FOUNDATION'S IMPACT BEYOND DIRECT SERVICES BY FOSTERING COORDINATED, COMMUNITY-WIDE SOLUTIONS AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE UNDERSERVED.

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 June 1984.

    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.