Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Project Amigo

EIN 68-0396073 · Novato, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Project Amigo is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through education by expanding access to educational and personal growth opportunities for students in Colima, Mexico from elementary school through university. Through scholarships, educational support, enrichment programs, and volunteer service initiatives, Project Amigo helps students overcome barriers, achieve academic success, and create lasting positive impact for their families and communities.

Income
$890,955
Spending
$861,016
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 December 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 (3)
  1. $308,338 spent. Project Amigo provides comprehensive educational scholarships and support services to approximately 250 students in Colima, Mexico from junior high school through university who face financial barriers to continuing their education. Scholarship support includes school registration and laboratory fees, transportation, books, school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and one nutritious meal per day. University students may also receive assistance with room and board expenses. The program further supports student success through tutoring and mentoring provided at weekly Homework Club sessions. Additional educational enrichment opportunities may include field trips, workshops, and activities that encourage academic achievement, personal growth, and long-term success. These combined efforts have contributed to more than 150 students earning higher education degrees.
  2. $239,819 spent. Project Amigo provides educational enrichment and support programs for 350 children in kindergarten through sixth grade across 5 educational centers in underserved communities in Colima, Mexico. Core program activities include incentive-based learning, homework assistance, educational field trips, meals, and other enrichment experiences designed to promote academic engagement and personal development.During the holiday season, the organization conducts a Christmas program in which participating children are transported to a centralized celebration featuring traditional cultural activities and meals. Each child receives new clothing, shoes, a book, a holiday meal, and toys.These activities are designed to reinforce a sense of stability, confidence, belonging, and motivation to succeed academically.
  3. $137,039 spent. Project Amigo provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in humanitarian service, cultural exchange, and educational support programs in Colima, Mexico. Volunteers participate in one of 11 week-long service sessions, each organized around a thematic focus and designed to support local students through a range of educational and enrichment activities.Volunteers engage students through reading and literacy support, basic English instruction, mentoring, and arts-based workshops, along with other structured activities that promote learning and personal development. Book distribution to underserved rural schools is included as a supplemental component of these efforts.Volunteers also provide swimming instruction to build water safety skills, confidence, and resilience, and support health and wellness education through preventive dental care instruction and the distribution of hygiene supplies. Program expenses include volunteer housing, meals, transportation, facility maintenance, utilities, and supplies necessary to support volunteer service activities throughout the year.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 December 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 January 1997.

    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.