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Third Future Schools

EIN 81-2937922 · Aurora, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS A MODEL FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOOLS, WORKING TO PREPARE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY POOR AND MINORITY STUDENTS, FOR THE WORKPLACE AND COLLEGE. A TEAM OF DEDICATED TEACHERS AND LEADERS, WORKING IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE AND (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) CARING CULTURE, MAINTAIN AN INTENSE FOCUS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES. STUDENTS FIND SUCCESS AND ARE ENGAGED THROUGH PERSONAL LEARNING, WHICH ALLOWS STUDENTS TO WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE AND LEARN IN A WAY MORE SUITED TO THEIR STRENGHTS. THIRD FUTURE SCHOOLS HOLDS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF AND BELIEVES THAT EVERYONE CAN CREATE THEIR OWN FUTURE.

Income
$25.1 million
Spending
$22.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-12.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
199
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$343,247, superintendent

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 192% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 (1)
  1. $20.4 million spent. A TEAM OF DEDICATED TEACHERS AND LEADERS, WORKING IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE AND CARING CULTURE, MAINTAIN AN INTENSE FOCUS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES. STUDENTS FIND SUCCESS AND ARE ENGAGED THROUGH PERSONAL LEARNING, WHICH ALLOWS STUDENTS TO WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE AND LEARN IN A WAY MORE SUITED TO THEIR STRENGTHS. THIRD FUTURE SCHOOLS HOLDS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF AND BELEIVES THAT EVERYONE CAN CREATE THEIR OWN FUTURE.

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 November 2016.

    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.