I AM Zambia Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Empower vulnerable Zambian students (Girls in Urban school and coed in rural school) to become employed, educated and self-sustaining through an educational program that emphasizes entrepreneurship, computer literacy and vocational training. With the expertise of local Zambian teachers, leaders and mentors the organization ensures that programs are effective and culturally responsive. Non-Zambian volunteers (who provide some of their own travel costs) help supplement, support and enhance the programs. The primary purpose of the organization is to improve living conditions and the overall well-being of some of the most vulnerable you in Zambia, students who might otherwise be subjected to the deleterious effects of generational poverty in a developing country.
- Income
- $173,211
- Spending
- $164,425
- Reserves
- 6.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $164,425 spent. Working with local educational resources and community mentors the girl students in the urban school participate in a 6-12 month job-skills training program that is accredited by the Zambian Ministry of Higher Education, aptly named TEVETA (Technial Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority). The courses offered are cosmetology,food production, fashion design/sewing and Information Communication Technology (ICT). As well, the students have an opportunity to work in campus based small businesses that correspond to their field of study (bakery & restaurant, salon, tailoring and a business center), thereby reinforcing classroom instruction with real-world experience and additional entrepreneurial training. The organization utilizes the expertise of local Zambian teachers and mentors with some social work training to help identify the most vulnerable of girl students in the area (ages 17-22) that could benefit from the type of education, vocational training and entrepreneurship education that we offer in urban Zambia. We know from experience and date that educated girls are healthier, have fewer children, marry later (40% are married before age 18) and extend these opportunities on to their children, allowing them to rise and thrive. Our rural Primary school is a community primary school that teaches grades 1-4 and has approximately 90 primary-aged students, enrolled, half of whom are girls. Our primary school uses local Zambian teachers to teach the Zambian Ministry of Education curriculum, but with enhanced programs for learning about entrepreneurship through a small rural agricultural initiative as well as community development projects. The rural schools are enhanced by two main resourches that I Am Zambia has helped provide, including a rural medical clinic that provides basic medical care and immunizations for approximately 6000 villagers, including students and their families. We also have a water drilling initiative using a hand powered drill that has helped provide access to clean water for the students and their extended families as well as 4 other rural boreholes (and counting) in other destitute areas of rural Zambia. Our belief is that education must include healthy children and access to clean water to enhance the lives of the students and their communities.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 December 2017.
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.