Stem Santa Fe
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
STEM Santa Fe advocates for, develops and provides STEM programming, mentoring and resources for all youth, especially underrepresented groups in STEM, to realize their potential and expand their opportunities in a dynamic world. STEM Santa Fe envisions a world filled with analytical citizens exploring complex issues for the betterment of society.
- Income
- $485,846
- Spending
- $349,924
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 29.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $61,727, executive dir.
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $71,055 spent. STEM CirclesIn 2024, STEM Santa Fe delivered a series of week-long STEM camps for students in grades 712, designed to inspire curiosity and broaden awareness of future education and career pathways. Camps highlighted applied STEM themes such as Aviation at the Jet Center, 3D Design and Printing at the Higher Education Center, and Kinesiology & Exercise Science at Santa Fe Community College. Each camp immersed students in hands-on exploration, connecting them with role models and mentors to demonstrate how STEM is applied in real-world contexts. In partnership with the Santa Fe Creative Coding Initiative, STEM Santa Fe also sponsored the Shiprock Mobile Studio, a digital storytelling and media lab that gave students the opportunity to explore creative technology while integrating cultural perspectives. These experiences encouraged participants to envision themselves in STEM fields, building confidence and motivation for continued learning. In total, STEM Circles served 70 students and delivered 1,300 direct contact hours.
- $63,444 spent. STEM Girls ProgramSTEM Santa Fe operates year-long initiatives that introduce girls and non-binary students to pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. The flagship program, STEM Pathways for Girls (SPFG), supports students in grades 58 with mentorship, role models, and project-based learning. In October 2024, the program launched with a full-day STEM conference featuring a keynote address and interactive workshops led by women STEM professionals, offering students firsthand exposure to diverse careers and academic pathways. The program continued with seven monthly two-hour workshops, each designed to build applied skills, strengthen teamwork, and deepen curiosity in STEM. STEM Santa Fe also sponsored Summer Physics Camps, a two-week intensive camp where students explored core concepts of physics, engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, computer programming, and cybersecurity. Through these experiences, participants developed critical problem-solving abilities, expanded technical knowledge, and built connections with peers and mentors. This year, the STEM Girls program reached 280 students and delivered 1,500 contact hours.
- $63,244 spent. STEAM Champions and Community OutreachIn 2024, STEM Santa Fe intensified its long-standing focus on bringing high-quality STEM education to underserved and underrepresented communities. Through workshops, classes, and community events, the program strengthened outreach to Indigenous families and expanded access for younger students. Collaborations included delivering Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula from the Santa Fe Creative Coding Initiative in multiple schools, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Fe/Del Norte and other local education organizations. These partnerships ensured culturally responsive and accessible programming, empowering students to see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. By removing barriers to participation and bringing high-quality experiences into community spaces, STEM Santa Fe increased visibility of STEM pathways across a wide demographic. This year, the STEAM Champions and Outreach program reached 2,900 students and delivered 8,500 contact hours.
- $56,371 spent. Other Programs
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.