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Knox Education Foundation

EIN 62-1865303 · Knoxville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN KNOX COUNTY THROUGH RESEARCH, DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
23.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 48%
Employees
13
Highest pay
$180,656, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 87 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $1.2 million spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT INTIATIVES CONTAINS INTATIVES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE PILOTS TO EVALUATE LONG TERM VIABILITY AND IMPACT. THESE SPECIAL PROJECTS FOCUS ON EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, STRATEGIC CONSULTING, ONE BOOK READ CITY, PLAYSPACE FUND AND RESEARCH, ANALYTICS AND SCHOOL INNOVATION.
  2. $716,728 spent. AWARDS AND GRANTS CONSISTS OF PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDED BY RESTRICTED DONATIONS AND GOVERNMENT FUNDING. FOR THE CURRENT YEAR THESE INCLUDE 865 ACADEMIES, KCS PROJECT SUPPORT AND PRIORITY BASED GRANTS.
  3. $344,893 spent. PROJECT GRAD ASSIST WITH FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OFFERS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, INTERVENTIONS, AND RESOURCES TO AUSTIN-EAST AND FULTON HIGH SCHOOLS. A SCHOLARSHIP IS EARNED BY QUALIFYING STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN ACCREDITED POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS OR TRADE SCHOOL. GRAD PROVIDES ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO INCREASE ON-TIME GRADUATION RATES, POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT AND TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS. INTENTIONAL FOCUS IS GIVEN TO STUDENTS FROM DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES, FROM COMMUNTIES OF CONCENTRATED CHALLENGES, AND THOSE UNDERREPRESENTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

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 February 2021.

    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.

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.