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Colorado League of Charter Schools

EIN 84-1288512 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY SUPPORTING COLORADO'S CHARTER SCHOOLS, POSITIVELY RESHAPING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LANDSCAPE, AND ADVANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATION AND EXPANDED HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
14
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$209,460, 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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $2.3 million spent. SCHOOL SERVICES/MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT - THE LEAGUE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF OPERATING CHARTER SCHOOLS, INCLUDING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR GOVERNANCE, OPERATING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND WELLNESS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 134,000 CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS IN COLORADO.
  2. $804,832 spent. ADVOCACY - THROUGH GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION, RESEARCH, AND ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, POLICY LEADERS, AND LEGAL ADVOCATES, THE COLORADO LEAGUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS ADVOCACY PROGRAM WORKS TO SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY AND OPINION THAT FAVORS CHARTER SCHOOL QUALITY AND GROWTH.
  3. $1.7 million spent. MAJOR EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS - THE LEAGUE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH, EXPANSION AND REPLICATION OF HIGH QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS. THE LEAGUE'S NEW SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PLANNING EFFORTS FROM THE TIME FOUNDING GROUPS FIRST MEET, THROUGH A SCHOOL'S SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION.

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 July 1995.

    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.