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Jefferson Foundation

EIN 84-0970315 · Golden, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JEFFCO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION VISION IS "EVERY JEFFCO STUDENT THRIVES- AND MISSION IS "SECURE RESOURCES AND ENGAGE IN PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURE JEFFO STUDENTS THRIVE THROUGH EQUITABLE, EXCELLENT, AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES."

Income
$573,345
Spending
$915,938
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
3
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$121,044, executive di

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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    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 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. $591,833 spent. JEFFCO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION DEFINES ITS SUPPORT VIA DIRECT FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT. SPECIFIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS CAN BE ACCESSED ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.JEFFCOSCHOOLSFOUNDATION.ORG. FURTHER, WE DEFINE THE LEVEL OF OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS STRATEGIC PLAN AS FOLLOWS. . STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR JEFFCO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: . EQUITY: IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET NEEDS - EXPAND EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS - INVEST IN EQUITABLE STUDENT SUPPORTS - DIVERSIFY AND TARGET SUPPORTS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND SCHOOL NEEDS . EXCELLENCE: SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS AND INVEST IN EXCELLENCE - DEFINE KEY ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO "THRIVE" - IDENTIFY, MEASURE, AND CELEBRATE SUCCESS - SEED PROMISING INNOVATIONS AND EXPAND SUCCESSFUL MODELS . ENGAGEMENT: CONVENE, COLLABORATE, AND MOVE TO ACTION - INVEST IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS - REMAIN NIMBLE AND RESPONSIVE - ACT ON COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TO INFORM INVESTMENT AND ACTION . DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT SCHOOLS READINESS AND ACADEMIC GROWTH, WITH A STRONG FOCUS IN LITERACY, READY, WRITING, AND COMPREHENSION. JEFFCO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION DEFINES ITS SUPPORT VIA DIRECT FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT. SPECIFIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS CAN BE ACCESSED ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.JEFFCOSCHOOLSFOUNDATION.ORG. FURTHER, WE DEFINE THE LEVEL OF OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS STRATEGIC PLAN AS FOLLOWS. . STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR JEFFCO SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: . EQUITY: IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET NEEDS - EXPAND EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS - INVEST IN EQUITABLE STUDENT SUPPORTS - DIVERSIFY AND TARGET SUPPORTS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND SCHOOL NEEDS . EXCELLENCE: SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS AND INVEST IN EXCELLENCE - DEFINE KEY ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO "THRIVE" - IDENTIFY, MEASURE, AND CELEBRATE SUCCESS - SEED PROMISING INNOVATIONS AND EXPAND SUCCESSFUL MODELS . ENGAGEMENT: CONVENE, COLLABORATE, AND MOVE TO ACTION - INVEST IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS - REMAIN NIMBLE AND RESPONSIVE - ACT ON COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TO INFORM INVESTMENT AND ACTION . DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT SCHOOLS READINESS AND ACADEMIC GROWTH, WITH A STRONG FOCUS IN LITERACY, READY, WRITING, AND COMPREHENSION.

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 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 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 August 1986.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Thomas Jefferson Foundation Inc (Charlottesvle, VA), EIN 54-0505959. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.