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Positive Movement Foundation

EIN 85-3224057 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERING SAN DIEGO'S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN & YOUTH WITH THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO CREATE THE FUTURE OF THEIR DREAMS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES, COMPUTERS, TUTORING, MENTORING, AND OVERALL SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.WE ARE DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING UNDERSERVED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. WE PROUDLY PARTNER WITH SEVEN SAN DIEGO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS THE JUVENILE COURTS AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. THESE SCHOOLS SERVE LARGE POPULATIONS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, IN FOSTER CARE, ENGLISH LEARNERS, OR LIVING WITH DISABILITIES. THROUGH THESE SCHOOLS WE ARE ALSO ABLE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS SAN DIEGO.

Income
$755,456
Spending
$704,490
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 38%
Employees
4
Volunteers
35

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 135% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $146,885 spent. WISHLIST SCHOOL BUDGET: EACH SCHOOL SUBMITS A WISH LIST FOR STUDENT-CENTERED NEEDS - ANYTHING FROM CLASSROOM MATERIALS TO CLUB EQUIPMENT - REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OUR TEAM. THIS OCCURS TWICE A YEAR AT THE START OF EACH SEMESTER FOR EACH SCHOOL. BUDGET VARIES FROM $5K-$25K PER A SEMESTER.
  2. $55,545 spent. STAFF/TEACHER APPRECIATION EVENTS: STAFF FOCUSED PROGRAMS INTENDED TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO THE SCHOOL STAFF AND SUPPORT THEM IN BRINGING THEIR BEST FOR THE KIDS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDE A MONTHLY CATERED LUNCH AND EVENTS. LUNCHES: MONTHLY CATERED LUNCHES FOR STAFF FOSTER COMMUNITY AND MORALE AMONG STAFF, WHO PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN STUDENT SUCCESS.STAFF APPRECIATION EVENTS: MONTHLY PROGRAMS SUCH AS CPR TRAINING, SOUND BATHS, ACUPUNCTURE, AND MEDITATION AMONGST OTHER ACTIVITIES ALLOW STAFF TO RECHARGE.TEAM-BUILDING OUTINGS: LOCAL OUTINGS STRENGTHEN STAFF BONDS AND PROVIDE A WELCOME BREAK.
  3. $46,231 spent. FUN FRIDAYS: MONTHLY ON CAMPUS EVENTS WITH SNACKS, MUSIC, DANCE CONTESTS, AND PRIZES, WHERE STUDENTS ARE RECOGNIZED AND REWARDED, PLAY GAMES AND PARTAKE IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FROM SOCCER, HOCKEY ETC. THE GOAL IS TO BRING JOY AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES THAT REDUCE TENSION, FIGHTS AND INCREASE MORALE.
  4. $126,399 spent. FOR STUDENTSWELLNESS WEDNESDAYS & THERAPY TUESDAYS: BI-WEEKLY THERAPY DOG VISITS HELP EASE STRESS, PARTICULARLY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES. SATURDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: FREE CLASSES INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO UNIQUE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS MINDFULNESS, CPR CERTIFICATION, YOGA, ART, AND MORE.INCENTIVE TRIPS & PRIZES: WE REWARD STUDENTS FOR ACHIEVING ACADEMIC METRICS LIKE GPA, ATTENDANCE, OR PARTICIPATION THROUGH FIELD TRIPS AND OTHER INCENTIVES.POSITIVITY GARDENS: WE FUND SCHOOL GARDENS WHERE STUDENTS LEARN TO PLANT, GROW, AND CARE FOR FOOD, FOSTERING HANDS-ON LEARNING AND LIFE SKILLS. SMILES FOR MILES: SHOPPING EVENT FOR 15 OF THE NEEDIEST FAMILIES AT EACH SCHOOL SELECTED BY SCHOOL STAFF.FOR STAFFSTAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH: EACH MONTH, TWO STAFF MEMBERS CHOSEN BY PEERS ARE RECOGNIZED WITH GIFT CARDS. ADDITIONAL SUPPORTWE WORK CLOSELY WITH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS UNIQUE NEEDS, INCLUDING HOLIDAY TOY DRIVES, TURKEY DRIVES, AND ACADEMIC INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE PARTNER WITH BELMONT PARK TO OFFER STUDENTS A DAY AT A THEME PARK, OFTEN THEIR FIRST SUCH EXPERIENCE. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE HAND UP PROJECT, WHERE FAMILIES DEALING WITH SPECIFIC FINANCIAL ISSUES ARE SUPPORTED BY OUR FOUNDATION AS REQUESTED AND BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

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 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 2024.

    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 December 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.