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Aurora Public Schools Foundation

EIN 74-2477363 · Aurora, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Cultivate community investment to enrich student opportunity.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
13.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$184,359, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (4)
  1. $529,151 spent. College & Career Readiness: The Foundation continued its partnership with the district to deliver college and career pathway programs. Building on the established College & Career Centers initiative (launched 2014), the 2024-25 school year saw expanded work-based learning opportunities including work-site tours, career fairs, project-based learning, internships and apprenticeships across multiple career fields. In collaboration with local industry and higher-education institutions, the Foundation supported pathways such as P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) that integrate technical coursework with hands-on experience, enabling students to earn an associates degree while still in high school.
  2. $226,117 spent. Special Projects: In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Foundation served as a conduit for a variety of special projects supporting the Aurora Public Schools districtincluding individual school-based initiatives and district-wide programs. These included athletic program enhancements (such as football programs across grade levels), equipment and facility support for middle-school unified sports programs, and directed donations to elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district.
  3. $174,755 spent. Scholarships: The Foundation administered multiple scholarship funds for graduating seniors in the APS district. For the class of 2025, a total of 191 scholarships were awarded, supporting students headed to post-secondary institutions or credentialing/training programs. The aggregate value of those awards was $134,886.
  4. $18,083 spent. Innovation Grants: The Foundations Innovation Grant Program supports APS employees (teachers, departments, schools) who propose innovative instructional approaches, new technologies or piloted projects that enrich and enhance student opportunities. During FY 2024-25, the program accepted applications, awarded grants ranging typically from $1-$7,000, and required evaluation of student impact and alignment to district strategic priorities. Recipients implemented initiatives such as technology-enhanced learning, design-thinking/engineering projects, classroom innovations and work-based learning supports.

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 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 February 1988.

    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.