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Freedom Side School

EIN 87-1440535 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A FREE EDUCATION ROOTED IN ABOLITIONIST VALUES TO CHILDREN IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. WE NURTURE OUR STUDENTS AS VISIONARIES, ORGANIZERS, AND ARCHITECTS OF A MORE FREE WORLD.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$148,285
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 93% of income.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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.

  • 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. $94,842 spent. AFTER 5 YEARS OF THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND ORGANIZING AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF A NON PROFIT FISCAL SPONSOR ORGANIZATION, FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL OBTAINED 501C3 STATUS AND LAUNCHED AS AN INDEPENDENT, STAFFED 501C3 NON PROFIT IN JANUARY OF 2025. IN OUR FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS AS AN INDEPENDENT NON PROFIT, FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL'S FOCUS WAS LAYING THE FOUNDATION TO WELCOME OUR FIRST CLASS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR BY: -FUNDRAISING TO BUILD A SEED FUND THAT WILL COVER OPERATING EXPENSES FOR OUR FIRST 3 SCHOOL YEARS; -BUILDING MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND GROWING OUR BASE OF DIRECTLY IMPACTED FAMILIES; -DEVELOPING OUR CURRICULUM AND DESIGNING PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; -AND PREPARING TO SUBMIT OUR SCHOOL LICENSURE APPLICATION AS AN INDEPENDENT K-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. DURING OUR FIRST FISCAL YEAR, OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -HIRING A TEAM OF 4 STAFF; -HOSTING A COMMUNITY LISTENING PROJECT TO GATHER VITAL INPUT FROM FAMILIES THAT WILL HELP SHAPE OUR PROGRAM DESIGNS; -BUILDING AN INSIDE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF INCARCERATED CAREGIVERS AND ORGANIZERS, INCLUDING AN ADVISORY BOARD, AND A TEAM OF AMBASSADORS; -HITTING OUR FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISING GOAL, AND PUBLICLY LAUNCHING OUR OPEN THE DOORS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO FULLY FUND FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL'S 3 FOUNDING YEARS AFTER 5 YEARS OF THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND ORGANIZING AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF A NON PROFIT FISCAL SPONSOR ORGANIZATION, FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL OBTAINED 501C3 STATUS AND LAUNCHED AS AN INDEPENDENT, STAFFED 501C3 NON PROFIT IN JANUARY OF 2025. IN OUR FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS AS AN INDEPENDENT NON PROFIT, FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL'S FOCUS WAS LAYING THE FOUNDATION TO WELCOME OUR FIRST CLASS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR BY: -FUNDRAISING TO BUILD A SEED FUND THAT WILL COVER OPERATING EXPENSES FOR OUR FIRST 3 SCHOOL YEARS; -BUILDING MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND GROWING OUR BASE OF DIRECTLY IMPACTED FAMILIES; -DEVELOPING OUR CURRICULUM AND DESIGNING PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; -AND PREPARING TO SUBMIT OUR SCHOOL LICENSURE APPLICATION AS AN INDEPENDENT K-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. DURING OUR FIRST FISCAL YEAR, OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -HIRING A TEAM OF 4 STAFF; -HOSTING A COMMUNITY LISTENING PROJECT TO GATHER VITAL INPUT FROM FAMILIES THAT WILL HELP SHAPE OUR PROGRAM DESIGNS; -BUILDING AN INSIDE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF INCARCERATED CAREGIVERS AND ORGANIZERS, INCLUDING AN ADVISORY BOARD, AND A TEAM OF AMBASSADORS; -HITTING OUR FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISING GOAL, AND PUBLICLY LAUNCHING OUR OPEN THE DOORS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO FULLY FUND FREEDOM SIDE SCHOOL'S 3 FOUNDING YEARS

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 December 2024.

    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.