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Ora Education Foundation

EIN 73-1006627 · Oklahoma City, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS PURSUING AN EDUCATION IN THE CULINARY, RESTURANT MANAGEMENT, LODGING, AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. SPONSOR INFORMATION EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHICH FOCUS ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY; PROMOTE EDUCATION IN THE INDUSTRY.SUPPORT A LIMITED AMOUNT OF BENEVOLENCE TO THE POOR, DISTRESSED, UNDERPRIVELEGED, OR TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM A PERSONAL CALAMITY SUCH AS A SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

Income
$497,365
Spending
$347,013
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
27.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.5 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 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 114% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (7)
  1. $72,015 spent. CAREER INITIATIVE PROGRAM EXPENSE EDUCATION PROGRAM, WHICH CREATES POSITIVE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL, WORK AND FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND IMPACTS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
  2. $50,000 spent. THIRST FOR A CAUSE CELEBRATES GREAT FOOD AND WINE WHILE RAISING MONEY FOR LOCAL RESTAURANT WORKERS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.
  3. $45,297 spent. AWARDS DINNER EXPENSE AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES WERE INCURRED TO PRESENT THE AWARDS AND RAISE REVENUE BY THE SILENT AUCTION AS WELL AS ADMINISTER THE FOUNDATION.
  4. $34,450 spent. TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS.
  5. $31,656 spent. ODYSSEY DINNERS PROVIDES EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
  6. VICTIM IMPACT FUND EXPENSES PROVIDE FUNDS FOR FOOD SERVICE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF CRIME.
  7. OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND- IN COOPERATION WITH THE LOBECK TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION IN TULSA AND THE CRESAP FAMILY FOUNDATION IN OKC, THE ORA HELPED FACILITATE THE MARKETING, APPLICATION PROCESS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF 649 GRANTS EQUALING $524,000 IN EMPLOYEE RELIEF GRANTS FOR RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FINAL DECISION ON WHO RECEIVES FUNDING CAME FROM THE LOBECK TAYLOR FAMILY FOUNDATION AND THE CRESAP FAMILY FOUNDATION.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 1976.

    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.

  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 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.