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Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence

EIN 73-1260595 · Oklahoma City, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO ENCOURAGE AND RECOGNIZE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN OKLAHOMA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS MISSION, THE FOUNDATION IS CREATED TO RECOGNIZE AND ENCOURAGE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, TO NURTURE AND SUPPORT A FAVORABLE CLIMATE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF EXCELLENCE BY STUDENTS, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS IN OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
92.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
4
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$112,328, executive director

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.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 92.9 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    109 of 109 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (6)
  1. $534,676 spent. ACADEMIC AWARDS PROGRAM - ENCOMPASSES TWO INITIATIVES: 1) ACADEMIC ALL-STATE AWARDS - CASH AWARDS TO 100 ACADEMIC ALL-STATE SCHOLARS SELECTED FROM OKLAHOMA'S PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING SENIORS. 2) MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE - CASH AWARDS TO EACH OF FIVE CATEGORIES INCLUDING ONE TEACHER AT EACH ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY, REGIONAL UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH UNIVERSITY LEVELS AND ONE PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR.
  2. $93,791 spent. THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS NETWORK PROVIDES ON-CALL SUPPORT, TRAINING, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOUNDATION LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM ANNUALLY PRESENTS OUTSTANDING PROGRAM AWARDS RECOGNIZING SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS SPONSORED OR ADMINISTRATED BY PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS.
  3. $61,048 spent. TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE TEACHERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE SELF-DESIGNED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THROUGH A FUND FOR TEACHERS FELLOWSHIP.
  4. $30,521 spent. THE BOREN MENTORING INITIATIVE PROVIDES START-UP GRANTS FOR NEW AND DEVELOPING MENTORING PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITY GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO SUPPORT STRATEGIC NEEDS OF K-12 MENTORING ORGANIZATIONS IN OKLAHOMA.
  5. COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TEACHER INSTITUTE - SELECT OKLAHOMA FIFTH AND EIGHTH GRADE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TEACHER INSTITUTE EACH SUMMER IN THE RESTORED CAPITAL CITY OF 18TH CENTURY VIRGINIA.
  6. OTHER

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 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 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 August 1986.

    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.