Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Iowa Safe Schools

EIN 73-1710056 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF IOWA SAFE SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND NURTURING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND COMMUNITIES FOR LGBTQ YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION, OUTREACH, VICTIM SERVICES, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$677,289
Spending
$646,198
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
7
Volunteers
50

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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 (3)
  1. $198,138 spent. THE GSA NETWORK IS THE DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT WORK WITH STUDENTS TO BUILD THEIR GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES OR GENDERSEXUALITY ALLIANCES IN SCHOOLS. GSAS ARE PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING BULLYING AND SUPPORTING A MORE INCLUSIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $107,286 spent. SAFE SCHOOLS ACADEMY IS THE ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COURSES THAT TEACH TEACHERS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND PARENTS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ STUDENTS. THE COURSES COVER A RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING BULLYING, SEXUAL ASSAULT, LGBTQ 101, AND OTHER SUPPORT.
  3. $56,747 spent. GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON LGBTQ YOUTH IS THE NATION'S LARGEST LGBTQ YOUTH PROGRAM EVENT WITH OVER 1,500 ATTENDEES. THIS EVENT HAS GROWN WITH MANY STUDENTS ATTENDING TO NETWORK AND FIND SUPPORT. THE PROGRAM BUILDS KNOWLEDGE AND ACTIVISM AMONG LGBTQ STUDENTS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2016.

    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 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 November 2016.

    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.