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Durango Education Foundation

EIN 74-2350944 · Durango, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide financial support to the Durango School District 9-R for programs, materials and technology need that fall outside the capacity of the regular school district.

Income
$545,745
Spending
$433,491
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
1
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$77,500, executive director

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. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 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 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 (1)
  1. $365,037 spent. The Durango Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that raises critical funding for the Durango School District through which it provides grants to teachers and schools, scholarships to graduating seniors, occasional fundraising campaigns for larger district needs, and service events for our entire educational community such as our fall and spring resource fairs and our Appreciation Celebration for all Durango School District Staff. Grants Program: During the 2024 calendar year, the Durango Education Foundation (DEF) regularly visited all 12 district schools to listen and gain relevant information about the needs and opportunities in each school and in the district as a whole. With that information, DEF held two grant competitions, one in spring 2024 and one in fall 2024. Teachers, schools, administrators, and community partners submitted grant applications and our grant committee awarded$130,000in grants throughout the district and to several DSD-serving community partners as well to support innovation and achievementin our local schools. Scholarship Program: During 2024, the Durango Education Foundation held a scholarship competition for graduating seniors in the Durango School Distict. In partnership with numerous local donors, DEF awarded 15 students a total of $102,000 in scholarship funding. Service Events: During the 2024 school year, DEF held both a Back to School Resource Fair (approximate attendance--500) and a Spring Resource Fair (approximate attendance--400) during which schools and over 50 local youth service providers gathered at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Parents and students accessed school supplies and critical information on programs and opportunities at the fall fair and, at the spring fair, parents and students were able to access information on important summer camps and activities and apply for scholarship assistance as well. Additionally, DEF held a Durango School District Staff Appreciation Celebration for the district during which outstanding staff awards were announced and all district personnel were recognized for their hard work. To support our two resource fairs, Durango Education Foundation gained$4,000 in sponsorships. Fundraising:DEF holds three primary fundraising activities throughout the year: 1) the Golf for Education Tournament which raised just over$50,000in 2024. In fall of 2024, DEF held the 2nd Spirits with the Spectres fundraiser that brought in approximately$35,000. Additionally, DEF partners with local businesses on a monthly basis to ask customers to round up for teachers. The Round Up for Teachers program raised$4,000 in 2024.Additionally, DEF partners with the following grant makers to support our public schools: The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado (The Ballantine Fund, Bartig-Small Fund, Katz Family Fund), The Sharma Foundation, the Moniker Foundation, the Kerr Foundation, and an anonymous foundation for a total ofapproximately $125K.

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 April 1985.

    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.