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Okeechobee Educational Foundation

EIN 65-0219235 · Okeechobee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF OKEECHOBEE STRENGTHENS STUDENT SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING TEACHERS, EXPANDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND LIFE.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$71,750, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 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 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 131% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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. $523,597 spent. RESILIENCY THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF OKEECHOBEE SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT BUILD STUDENT RESILIENCE, CAREER READINESS, AND INTEREST IN HIGH-NEED RESILIENCY BASED PROFESSIONS. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE OKEECHOBEE FIRE ACADEMY AND PUBLIC SAFETY PATHWAYS, WHICH INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO FIRE, EMS, AND EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGH HANDS-ON TRAINING, EQUIPMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES A RESILIENCY COACH WHO DELIVERS SKILLS-BASED LESSONS FOCUSED ON PROBLEM SOLVING, HEALTHY COPING STRATEGIES, AND GOAL SETTING. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS STREGTHEN STUDENT CONFIDENCE, EXPAND CAREER OPTIONS, AND PREPARE YOUTH FOR SUCCESS IN HIGH-DEMAND PUBLIC SAFETY FIELDS.
  2. $127,800 spent. COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS PROGRAMS THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF OKEECHOBEE SUPPORTS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS BY PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH POSTSECONDARY PLANNING RESOURCES, INDUSTRY AND COLLEGE TOURS, FINANCIAL AID GUIDANCE, AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TRAINING. THESE ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND CAREER PATHWAYS, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND PREPARE FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS TO COLLEGE, CAREER TRAINING, OR THE WORKFORCE.
  3. $272,696 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THE FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS SCHOLARSHIPS THAT PROVIDE FINACIAL ASSESTANCE FOR STUDENTS PURSUING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR CAREER TRAINING. FUNDS SUPPORT TUITION, FEES, AND RELATED EXPENSES, HELPING STUDENTS ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES AND REDUCE FINACIAL BARRIERS TO CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION.
  4. $179,188 spent. THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF OKEECHOBEE STRENGTHENS STUDENT SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING TEACHERS, EXPANDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND LIFE
  5. THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF OKEECHOBEE STRENGTHENS STUDENT SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING TEACHERS, EXPANDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, COLLEGE, CAREERS, AND LIFE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Educational Foundation Inc (Chapel Hill, NC), EIN 56-6058412. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.