Passes our checks

The Education Foundation of Harris County

EIN 76-0425261 · Houston, TX

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

What it says it does

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN BY PROMOTING THE VISION THAT EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN AND SUCCEED GIVEN OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 59% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
18 of 18 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 August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)

$196,848 spent. AFTER SCHOOL INITIATIVE - AN ONGOING COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION HARRIS CO. AND THE COOPERATIVE FOR AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT (CASE), A DIVISION OF THE HARRIS CO. DEPT OF EDUCATION, TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF PLACING INNOVATIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN HARRIS CO. PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
$147,680 spent. PARTNERS IN EDUCATION PROJECT - CONSISTS OF THREE PROGRAMS INCLUDING GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS. THE THREE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS ACROSS THE 25 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
$5,000 spent. HEADSTART - PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND RECEIVE FREE VISION, HEARING, NUTRITION AND DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES THESE CHILDREN WITH HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS, AND CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN A HEALTHY SETTING.
$143,301 spent. TOOLS FOR TEACHERS
$15,104 spent. ECOBOT
$33,259 spent. OTHER GRANTS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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