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Cardinal Community Academy

EIN 84-1429957 · Keenesburg, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak40 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO SERVE STUDENTS NEEDS AND ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. STUDENTS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO BECOME LIFE LONG LEARNERS, WHILE ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBILITY, CITIZENSHIP, HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND RESPECT BETWEEN STUDENTS AND STAFF. EVERY STUDENT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH HIGH ACADEMIC GOALS WITHIN A BOARD, WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION WILL AID IN GUIDING STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST ACADEMIC POTENTIAL.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
43
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$92,935, principal

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $2.0 million spent. CARDINAL COMMUNITY ACADEMY IS A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL SERVING STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE. CCA IS OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY RESIDE. SINCE WE ARE A PUBLIC SCHOOL, THERE ARE NO FEES TO ATTEND CCA. THE SCHOOL OPENED IN 2000 WITH SEVENTY- FIVE STUDENTS AND HAS GROWN IN STUDENT NUMBERS EVERY YEAR.

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 September 1999.

    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.

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.