Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc

EIN 59-2637849 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ENHANCE AND ENRICH THE QUALITY OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN LEE COUNTY FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS THROUGH PROGRAMS, RESOURCES AND EXPERIENCES MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH CORPORATE, INDIVIDUAL AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
14
Volunteers
275
Highest pay
$246,852, pres/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

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    41 of 42 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 (5)
  1. $526,723 spent. TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN (SC) THIS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND MENTORING TO LOW INCOME AT-RISK STUDENTS.
  2. $240,684 spent. GOLDEN APPLE (GA) THE GOLDEN APPLE TEACHER RECOGNITION PROGRAM GIVES A HIGH LEVEL OF RECOGNITION TO OUTSTANDING CLASSROOM TEACHERS. THIS PROGRAM PRESENTS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO LEE COUNTY EDUCATORS. PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES ACADEMY OF TEACHERS.
  3. $155,474 spent. CLASSROOM GRANTS (CG) THE CLASSROOM GRANTS PROGRAM OFFERS EDUCATORS THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FUNDS TO OFFER UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
  4. $897,775 spent. SANIBEL SCHOOL FUND (SS) THE SANIBEL SCHOOL REFLECTS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND RELATED EXPENDITURES MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SANIBEL SCHOOL. EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER (RC) COLLECT NEW AND USED DONATED ITEMS TO BENEFIT TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS AT NO COST TO THEM. COLLEGIUM FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION (TR) THE COLLEGIUM FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION IS THE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT OF THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR NETWORKING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO A SELECT GROUP OF EDUCATORS. FUTUREMAKERS (FM) THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO INSPIRE MORE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AFTER GRADUATION, WHETHER IT IS A UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, OR TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL TRAINING THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOPS. KIDS TAG ART (OP) LEE COUNTY KIDS TAG ART IS AN EDUCATIONAL FUNDRAISING PROJECT CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEE COUNTY TAX COLLECTORS OFFICE AND DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE ART CLASSROOMS IN LEE COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOLS. THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED ANNUALLY TO EACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS. BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FUND (BS) THE BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND RELATED EXPENDITURES MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL. OTHER PROGRAMS (OP) AT THIS TIME, INCLUDES DISCRETIONARY FUND, ACCESS HOMELESS FUND, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EDISON FAIRS), HURRICANE IAN RELIEF, NEW TEACHERS SOCIAL, KIDS TAG ART, JEFF SOMMER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS, SUNCOAST C. U. SCHOLARSHIPS,ALLEGRETTI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS, TOP CHEF SCHOLARSHIPS, ANGELA MATES SCHOLARSHIPS, BETTY SMITH CARRIERE SCHOLOARSHIPS, ALLEGRETTI SCHOLARSHIPS, SHEVACH SCHOLARSHIPS & SHADOW WOODS SCHOLARSHIPS. COLLEGE & CAREER INITIATIVES (CC) IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL LEE COUNTY BUSINESSES, WE OFFER VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IN THE DISTRICT. OUR PROGRAMS GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL CAREER FIELDS FOCUSED ON STEM AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE CAREERS. OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER PREPARES LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, TECHNICAL TRAINING, OR ENTERING THE WORKFORCE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH, ACT PREP, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND CAREER EXPLORATION. STUDENT ADVOCACY & MENTORING PROGRAM (SA) THIS PROGRAM WORKS WITH AT-RISK, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT BY OFFERING RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER MENTORS TO ASSIST STUDENTS COMPLETING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND CONTINUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THEATRICAL SOCIETY THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FOR AN ANNUAL THEATRICAL COMPETITION. ADMINISTRATION (AD) ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES FUND-RAISERS, BUSINESS PARTNERS/STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED IN OTHER PROGRAMS.
  5. SANIBEL SCHOOL FUND (SS) THE SANIBEL SCHOOL REFLECTS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND RELATED EXPENDITURES MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SANIBEL SCHOOL. EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER (RC) COLLECT NEW AND USED DONATED ITEMS TO BENEFIT TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS AT NO COST TO THEM. COLLEGIUM FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION (TR) THE COLLEGIUM FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION IS THE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT OF THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR NETWORKING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO A SELECT GROUP OF EDUCATORS. FUTUREMAKERS (FM) THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO INSPIRE MORE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AFTER GRADUATION, WHETHER IT IS A UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, OR TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL TRAINING THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOPS. KIDS TAG ART (OP) LEE COUNTY KIDS TAG ART IS AN EDUCATIONAL FUNDRAISING PROJECT CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEE COUNTY TAX COLLECTORS OFFICE AND DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE ART CLASSROOMS IN LEE COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOLS. THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED ANNUALLY TO EACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS. BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FUND (BS) THE BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND RELATED EXPENDITURES MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BONITA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL. OTHER PROGRAMS (OP) AT THIS TIME, INCLUDES DISCRETIONARY FUND, ACCESS HOMELESS FUND, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EDISON FAIRS), HURRICANE IAN RELIEF, NEW TEACHERS SOCIAL, KIDS TAG ART, JEFF SOMMER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS, SUNCOAST C. U. SCHOLARSHIPS,ALLEGRETTI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS, TOP CHEF SCHOLARSHIPS, ANGELA MATES SCHOLARSHIPS, BETTY SMITH CARRIERE SCHOLOARSHIPS, ALLEGRETTI SCHOLARSHIPS, SHEVACH SCHOLARSHIPS & SHADOW WOODS SCHOLARSHIPS. COLLEGE & CAREER INITIATIVES (CC) IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL LEE COUNTY BUSINESSES, WE OFFER VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IN THE DISTRICT. OUR PROGRAMS GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL CAREER FIELDS FOCUSED ON STEM AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE CAREERS. OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER PREPARES LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, TECHNICAL TRAINING, OR ENTERING THE WORKFORCE. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH, ACT PREP, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND CAREER EXPLORATION. STUDENT ADVOCACY & MENTORING PROGRAM (SA) THIS PROGRAM WORKS WITH AT-RISK, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT BY OFFERING RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER MENTORS TO ASSIST STUDENTS COMPLETING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND CONTINUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THEATRICAL SOCIETY THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FOR AN ANNUAL THEATRICAL COMPETITION. ADMINISTRATION (AD) ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES FUND-RAISERS, BUSINESS PARTNERS/STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED IN OTHER PROGRAMS.

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 December 1986.

    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.