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Aliento Education Fund

EIN 84-4749451 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Aliento serves students, Dreamers, and mixed-status families to transform trauma into hope and action. It is led by directly impacted individuals, youth, and supporters who strive to create an environment where human potential is nurtured and not defined by immigration status. Aliento supports students and families through education initiatives, arts & healing programming, leadership development, civic engagement, and policy.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
10
Volunteers
58
Highest pay
$126,000, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.9 million spent. Our work is divided into a four-prong approach: 1 Cultiva is the name of our arts & healing programming where we provide arts & healing workshops and mental health support through group therapy, open mics, and events at schools and in the community. In the community, Aliento offers arts & healing workshops and open mics open to anyone in the community ages 7 and up. At schools, Aliento partners with K-20 education institutions to do the programming at school sites. 2 Nurture is the leadership development & student engagement programming of the organization that is part of our education initiatives. Aliento works with high schools, community colleges, and universities to increase youth agency, leadership, and self-advocacy. Aliento provides paid fellowships & internships for school credit to help create and develop student hubs at high schools, colleges, and universities across Arizona. 3 Transform is our program rooted in the sentiment that no one can accomplish things alone. Aliento believes in broadening the coalition of support to create sustainable change in our communities and achieve Aliento's mission of transforming trauma into hope and action. This is why we do professional development for educators, and host trainings with faith leaders, school leaders, and state legislators. 4 Civic Engagement and Policy is our fourth approach to ensure systems and structures are welcoming to all students regardless of immigration status. In 2022, Aliento's students, allies, and coalition partners led the passage of in-state tuition and college scholarships for Arizona students regardless of immigration status.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 7, 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.