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Valedictorian Project Inc

EIN 85-2099157 · Watertown, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VALEDICTORIAN PROJECT'S MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO EQUITY AND CLOSE THE EDUCATION -TO-EMPLOYMENT GAP FOR HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM URBAN SCHOOLS. WE RECRUIT AND TRAIN MENTORS WHO ARE PASSIONATE CHANGE-MAKERS AND COMMITTED TO A MORE JUST FUTURE. WE BELEIVE IN A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE WHERE EVERY STUDENT HAS THE NETWORK AND GUIEDEANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$778,485
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
262
Highest pay
$162,000, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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. $578,933 spent. DURING THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE VALEDICTORIAN PROJECT EXPANDED ITS REACH TO NEARLY 200 SCHOLARS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS - A 21% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR - WHILE DEEPENING THE QUALITY OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO EACH STUDENT. A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE THIS PERIOD WAS THE HIRING OF TVP'S FIRST FULL-TIME SCHOLAR COACH, WHO WORKED DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS NAVIGATING ACADEMIC PROBATION, HOUSING INSTABILITY, FINANCIAL CRISES, AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, WHILE ALSO CREATING A CLEAR ESCALATION PATHWAY FOR MENTORS. PROGRAM OUTCOMES REMAINED STRONG: SCHOLARS MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE GPA OF 3.5, AND 100% OF TVP'S 2020 AND 2021 COHORTS GRADUATED WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. THESE RESULTS REFLECT TVP'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES NOT ONLY ACCESS COLLEGE, BUT PERSIST THROUGH IT AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS. DURING THE PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE VALEDICTORIAN PROJECT EXPANDED ITS REACH TO NEARLY 200 SCHOLARS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS - A 21% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR - WHILE DEEPENING THE QUALITY OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO EACH STUDENT. A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE THIS PERIOD WAS THE HIRING OF TVP'S FIRST FULL-TIME SCHOLAR COACH, WHO WORKED DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS NAVIGATING ACADEMIC PROBATION, HOUSING INSTABILITY, FINANCIAL CRISES, AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, WHILE ALSO CREATING A CLEAR ESCALATION PATHWAY FOR MENTORS. PROGRAM OUTCOMES REMAINED STRONG: SCHOLARS MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE GPA OF 3.5, AND 100% OF TVP'S 2020 AND 2021 COHORTS GRADUATED WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. THESE RESULTS REFLECT TVP'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES NOT ONLY ACCESS COLLEGE, BUT PERSIST THROUGH IT AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS.

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 March 2021.

    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.