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Desert Garden Montessori School Inc

EIN 83-0345361 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DESERT GARDEN MONTESSORI'S MISSION IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN WHICH THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE, CREATE, LEARN, SOCIALIZE AND CELEBRATE THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS. THE SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING WITHIN EACH CHILD A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND INTERDEPENDENCE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
103
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$101,400, president

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 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

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $4.7 million spent. THE SCHOOL'S MONTESSORI APPROACH IS A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION, WHICH ENCOMPASSES BOTH A PHILOSOPHY OF THE CHILD'S GROWTH AND A RATIONALE FOR GUIDING SUCH GROWTH. IT IS BASED ON THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS FOR FREEDOM WITHIN LIMITS. IN ADDITION, A CAREFULLY PREPARED ENVIRONMENT GUARANTEES EXPOSURE TO MATERIALS AND EXPERIENCES TO DEVELOP INTELLIGENCE AS WELL AS PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABILITIES. IT IS DESIGNED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE SELF-MOTIVATION PROCESS,THE UNIQUE ABILITIES OF CHILDREN, AND ALLOW THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES AND INNER GIFTS. THE SCHOOL SERVES MORE THAN 200 CHILDREN FROM INFANT PROGRAMS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE THE WHOLE CHILD IN AN INTEGRATED APPROACH.

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 November 6, 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 January 2004.

    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 November 4, 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.