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Waldorf Association Santa Barbara

EIN 77-0035318 · Goleta, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A HEALTHY, BROAD, REVERENT EDUCATION THAT HONORS THE HEAD, HEART, HANDS-THE WHOLE-OF THE CHILD. DRAWING ON A RIGOROUS, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, AND BEAUTY-ATTUNED CURRICULUM, WALDORF EDUCATION CULTIVATES THE FULL FLOWERING OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, UNDERSTANDING THE PROFOUND INTERDEPENDENCE OF BOTH. THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF SANTA BARBARA SEEKS TO NOT MERELY REFLECT SOCIETY BUT HELP GUIDE AND SHAPE IT.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
34
Volunteers
133
Highest pay
$76,636, faculty representative

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE THEME OF WALDORF PEDAGOGY IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN BEING. THE FOCUS OF EACH GRADE IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT RESPOND TO THE EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, SPRITUAL AND INTELLECTUAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AS THEY GO THROUGH DEFINABLE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT. THE INTENTION OF OUR OVERNIGHT CLASS TRIPS, DAY FIELD TRIPS, AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS IS TO ALLOW THE CHILDREN A TIME TO UNWIND FROM THE SCHOOL DAY AND GAIN ENRICHMENT IN OTHER AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM SETTING.

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 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 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 December 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.

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.