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Tam High Foundation

EIN 68-0385326 · Mill Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Tam High Foundation is a fundraising organization that fosters the academic excellence and emotional and physical well-being of ALL Tam students.In partnership with Tam High faculty and staff, the Foundation funds grants which support innovative programs, state-of-the-art tools and equitable educational opportunities in order to provide every student with a pathway to success.With community support, our efforts make Tam High both a top academic high school and an extraordinary experience.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$890,544
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
25.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
1
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$49,595, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 31, 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 (4)
  1. $683,489 spent. FOR THE SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR APPROXIMATELY 1,600 TAMALPAIS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS. EXAMPLES OF ITEMS FUNDED WITH MONIES GRANTED BY THE TAM HIGH FOUNDATION ARE: TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING CHROME BOOKS, LAPTOPS AND CARTS FOR STUDENT USE IN CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARY. SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS FOR MATH AND EQUIPMENT FOR SCIENCE, PHOTOGRAPHY & AUTO SHOP. GUEST ARTISTS FOR THEATER, STUDIO ART, MUSIC & ENGLISH. TRAINING AND PROGRAMS FOR WELLNESS, LEADERSHIP, PEER RESOURCES, MINDFULNESS, PEER MENTORING, TRANSITION TO TAM & WORKPLACE LEARNING. FIELD TRIPS FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & TUTORING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS NEEDING ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
  2. $29,400 spent. Patrons of the Arts (PATH) supports approximately 600 students participating in the Tam High Visual Arts program. PATH helps fund field trips and student art exhibitions, and provides supplies, workbooks, and professional development for art teachers.
  3. $29,033 spent. Tam High United Music Boosters (THUMB) supports 150 students participating in Tam High Music classes. The majority of the fund-raised dollars pay for instrument repairs and replacements, sheet music, field trips and music festivals, workshops with professional musicians, and scholarships to students for private instruction.
  4. $23,295 spent. Conservatory Theatre Ensemble (CTE) supports 300 students participating in Tam High Drama classes. The majority of funds are used for guest artist workshops, where professional theatre artists lead workshops in specialized theatre skills. Workshops include design, directing, dance, playwriting, acting, and voice. Fund-raised dollars also cover expenses for sets, costumes, props, scripts, royalties from publishers, field trips, and lighting expenses.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 1996.

    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.