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Opportunity Scholars

EIN 84-3571746 · Winchester, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLAR'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND TRAINING PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME AND ETHNICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES. OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARS SERVES AS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, K-12 SCHOOLS, HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. THROUGH CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE COACHING, ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND RISK-FREE FINANCING, OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARS HELPS STUDENTS ACHIEVE THE ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR GREAT JOBS IN THE PRIORITY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AREAS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. BY HELPING STUDENTS GET HIGH PAYING JOBS WHILE TARGETING PRIORITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS, BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR ECONOMIC STATUS AND A REDUCTION IN INCOME INEQUALITY.

Income
$853,966
Spending
$671,133
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
20.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
17
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$53,636, former director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 December 31, 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. $608,591 spent. EDUCATIONAL SERVICESTHE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES GUIDANCE, TUTORING AND SUPPORT OF ACADEMIC STUDIES, EXPOSES STUDENTS TO VARIOUS CAREER OPTIONS, AND ASSISTS STUDENTS IN SECURING FUNDS IN THE FORM OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR EDUCATION RELATED EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 2020.

    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.