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Big Minds Incorporated

EIN 81-4897779 · Pinole, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood78 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

BIG MINDS IS AN ATTACHMENT-BASED, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED SCHOOL DESIGNED TO GIVE TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL (2E) STUDENTS THE TIME AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO GROW INTO THOUGHTFUL, ARTICULATE CITIZENS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
34
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$127,696, executive di

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

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 154% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 July 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 (2)
  1. $1.7 million spent. BIG MINDS IS A RADICALLY DIFFERENT, ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS, GRADES K-8. OUR STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO IS 4:1, AND ALL OF OUR LEARNING IS DONE IN PROJECT-BASED AND STRENGTHS-LED 1:1 OR SMALL GROUP SETTINGS. WE UTILIZE WHAT YOUR STUDENT IS PASSIONATE ABOUT AS A VEHICLE FOR FILLING IN THE BUILDING BLOCKS THEY MIGHT STRUGGLE WITH AS PART OF THEIR DISABILITY. OUR FOCUS IS ON SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT SUPPORTS BOTH COGNITIVE AND CREATIVE GROWTH. STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE CONTINUALLY ENGAGED IN A PASSIONATE, RECIPROCAL LEARNING PROCESS.
  2. OUR MISSION AND CURRICULUM ARE ROOTED IN DISABILITY JUSTICE; WE IMPRESS UPON OUR STUDENTS THAT BEING 2E MEANS THEY ARE PART OF A GREATER COMMUNITY AND THAT IT IS FUNDAMENTALLY A PROBLEM THAT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WAS NOT BUILT FOR THEM. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO LEAVE BIG MINDS WITH THE SKILLS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD AS IT IS AND AS SOCIALLY LITERATE HUMANS WHO FEEL COMFORTABLE ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 July 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 August 2017.

    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.