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Shanel Valley Academy

EIN 85-2473844 · Hopland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RESTORING EDUCATION TO THE HOPLAND COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL TO A THRIVING FUTURE FOR HOPLAND STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR GREATER COMMUNITY. SHANEL (SANEL) VALLEY ACADEMY (SVA) IS A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, COMMUNITY SCHOOL WHERE ALL STUDENTS ARE VALUED AND SUPPORTED. SVA STUDENTS WILL BE PREPARED TO LEAD AND SUCCESSFULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY, THEY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS AND A RESILIENT, CULTURALLY COMPETENT AND COLLABORATIVE MINDSET.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
46
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$125,150, 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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 (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. OPERATION OF A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE HOPLAND COMMUNITY: SHANEL VALLEY ACADEMY (SVA). SVA ENVISIONS A FUTURE IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN ARE HONORED WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THAT RESULTS IN SUCCESS IN COMMUNITY AND CAREER. AT SVA, YOUTH VOICES CONTRIBUTE IN VALUED AND MEANINGFUL WAYS TO THE REALIZATION OF A THRIVING AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY. SVA WILL EMPOWER ALL STUDENTS TO BECOME CRITICAL THINKERS, INNOVATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS, AND EFFECTIVE LEADERS THROUGH A DYNAMIC AND COLLABORATIVE CURRICULUM.
  2. $79,686 spent. OPERATION OF A STATE PRESCHOOL, THE SHANEL VALLEY EARLY LEARNING CENTER, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MENDOCINO COUNTY STATE PRESCHOOL CONSORTIUM. THE PROGRAM SERVES ELIGIBLE 2, 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS FIVE DAYS A WEEK. TO ENSURE A HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM, WE OFFER A WELL-PLANNED, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A POSITIVE EARLY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE IS THE RECOGNITION OF EACH CHILD IN THE PROGRAM AS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.

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 June 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.