Open Roads Academy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OPEN ROADS ACADEMY, INC. IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINANCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS THAT INCREASE LITERACY SKILLS AS WELL AS IMPROVE LIFE AND WORK READINESS. THE GOAL IS GIVE OPEN ROADS STUDENTS THE TOOLS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. OPEN ROADS ACHIEVES THIS MISSION THROUGH EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS THAT COMBINE TRAVEL IN NATURE WITH TEACHING OF THE DOCUMENTARY ARTS OF FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND WRITING. OPEN ROADS FURTHERS ITS REACH THROUGH TRAVEL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS WITH SUPPORTING IMPACT CAMPAIGNS THAT AIM TO MAKE MEASURABLE CHANGE IN THE CORE ISSUE AREAS OF: EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
- Income
- $530,969
- Spending
- $510,492
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $60,000, secretary
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $353,837 spent. OPEN ROADS ACADEMY, INC. PROMOTES DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AS TOOLS FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. FROM THAT PLATFORM, THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO USE THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING TO HELP ADOLESCENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS ENHANCE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND BUILD ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS, BOTH WITH WORD AND IMAGE. ALL OF THIS RESULTS IN GUIDING YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE OFTEN-DIFFICULT TRANSITION FROM ADOLESCENCE INTO PRODUCTIVE ADULTHOOD. THE INTENDED OUTCOME IS THAT STUDENTS BECOME EQUIPPED WITH THE MOTIVATION AND SKILLS TO BE INSPIRED LEARNERS, ENGAGED CITIZENS, AND POSITIVE CONTRIBUTORS IN THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. OPEN ROADS' PRIMARY POPULATION IS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, WITH PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON SERVING FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.