The Fregenet Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Foundation is dedicated to creating educational opportunities for impoverished children in Ethiopia. The Foundation provides high quality early education as a means to overcome poverty, reduce gender inequality and more to disadvantaged children. The Fregenet Foundation set out to provide this by building schools that have lower teacher / student ratio (2 to 30) and provides everything for free (meals, uniform, books, education), including a free pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten program.
- Income
- $29,914
- Spending
- $33,639
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 20.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 4
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $13,000 spent. The Fregenet Foundation is a non-profit corporation that provides early childhood education to children from low-income families in Ethiopia. The first Fregenet School (Fregenet KidanLehitsanat) opened its doors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the fall of 2004 and enrolled 31 children ages 4 to 6 from a small and impoverished community in Addis Ababa. The vision for the school was inspired by Fregenet Tafesse Woubshet, an Ethiopian-American who died in 2003 before she could realize her dream of returning to Ethiopia to help children. Thanks to generous benefactors, in the school's 21 years of operation, the number of students served has grown to over 560. About the School: Many students are from single-parent households, while others are from families of unemployed parents or precariously employed families. Students are selected in a fair manner and in accordance with the nondiscrimination policy of the Foundation and the School. Some of the students, if not all, may not have had the opportunity to go to school had it not been for the Foundation. The school currently supports 90 students. There are three classes for the Kindergarten, or "KG." KG 1: These are the youngest children, ages 3 to 4, in their first months at a teaching establishment. KG 2: These students have completed one year of KG and can identify letters and numbers and think in logical patterns. KG 3: Students in KG 3 are 5 to 6 years old and are developing reading and writing skills in Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) and English. Lessons are given in accordance with the curriculum required by the Federal Ministry of Education. The textbooks used are also those prepared and approved by the relevant educational authorities of the country. All students receive education at no charge. School uniforms and school supplies are also distributed to each student at no cost to their families.
- $20,000 spent. The Fregenet Foundation's mission includes building schools that maintain smaller teacher-to-student ratios (2 to 30) and provide free education through Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. Project 1: Bishoftu Elementary School Construction. The Foundation's first project focused on establishing a model school, Fregenet Dembi Elementary School, on a 12,000-square-meter plot in Bishoftu. Completed in 2022, the school features seven classrooms, each accommodating 30 students, covering levels from Preschool and Kindergarten 1-3 through Grades 1-4. Additional facilities include a library, computer lab, cafeteria, and clinic, addressing both the educational and social needs of local children. Fregenet Dembi Elementary School opened its doors to its first students in September 2022, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to advancing education for Ethiopian children. Project #2: Addis Ababa Elementary School Construction. The second initiative, Fregenet Elementary School in Addis Ababa, expands educational opportunities for children from underprivileged communities. The school is being built on land provided free of charge by the Addis Ababa City Administration. Like the Bishoftu school, it will include seven classrooms with a capacity of 30 students each, serving Preschool, Kindergarten 1-3, and Grades 1-4. Planned facilities include a library, computer lab, cafeteria, and clinic. In January 2023, construction of a permanent fence was completed. To meet immediate needs, the Foundation, working with local stakeholders and partners, also built a temporary structure on the site. This facility, which will serve for the next five years, accommodates students from the former Fregenet Kidan Lehetsanat School, ensuring uninterrupted learning while the permanent school is under construction. The temporary classrooms, kitchen, teachers' rooms, play area, and other related facilities have now been completed.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.