Arete Schools United
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Arete Schools United exists to aide schools in providing education to under served communities and children with limited access to quality education. Including, but not limited to, operational support and the construction of schools in such communities.
- Income
- $206,808
- Spending
- $193,296
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 7
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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.
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, 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 (3)
- $157,655 spent. Arete contributed to the primary funding for operation of a school in the under-served community of Palacaguina, Nicaragua. Funds were used to provide a bi-lingual, quality education to 243 students in Palacaguina grades PreK-3 through 8th Grade. This operational funding includes: Providing uniforms to students, books and classroom supplies, classroom furniture/desks, salaries for teachers and administrative personnel, teacher training, as well as daily expenses required for the operation of school.
- $27,785 spent. Mission trips and missions activities. PCA works every year to operate mission trips for US Citizens to come and serve the school and community in Palacaguina. These trip expenditures are for the costs related to the groups coming into the country and include lodging, special projects, transportation, food, and all other expenses related to the trip. These trips not only improve and benefit the school and the community, but they make a lasting impact on the trip participants. Some of these funds are also used to help local ministries and support local children in their education.
- $7,856 spent. In addition to funding education and mission trips, Arete contributed funds for community service projects to help impoverished communities and families. Projects include 2 ongoing, weekend food outreaches serving more than 200 children in the communities of Los Arados and El Tamarindo and distribution of thousands of meals to hungry children. In total, Arete assisted in the delivery of 26,939 meals in 2025 to children and families. Other community projects include: Building improvements to a chapel in Jinotega, local school improvements, and outreaches to poor communities to provide food and supplies. Another service outreach program was the monthly support of an elderly widow and monthly support of a family in need. In addition to projects, Arete provided funding for outreach programs and mission projects.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 August 2016.
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.