Soaring Flight Education Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Soaring Flight Education Association (SFEA) provides funding to teens and adults between the ages of 14 and 24 to further their education and interest in aviation. The SFEA funds initial glider flight training, solo flights, advanced glider training along with associated examinations and flight tests.
- Income
- $22,556
- Spending
- $17,383
- Reserves
- 36.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 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 (4)
- In our first year of operation the SFEA solicited and received cash donations and a matching grant of $25,000. We awarded flight scholarships of up to $1,000 to three teenagers. We are continuing our fundraising efforts in order to qualify for the matching grant.
- In fiscal year ending 8/31/2023, we provided over $10,000 in scholarship grants to seven high school age youth for flight instruction.
- During the fiscal year ending 8/31/2024, the SFEA purchased and installed an advanced Glider Flight Simulator consisting of cockpit seating and controls, three video monitors, a gaming computer and Condor Glider Flight Simulator Software. In the first season the simulator was used for training specific, repeatable flight scenarios. Flight instructors considered it an excellent device to continue flight training during inclement weather. We provided financial and mentor support to seven youth for their flight training. Three of the young people accomplished their first solo, flying the aircraft with no one else in the plane. This is a major flight training accomplishment and a memorable life experience for them.
- This year we continued to support student aviation training for a total of ten students. Of these there were three new students. We expanded our scholarship program to include students at an additional training site. All but one of our students have completed initial flight training with solo flights and most have received their FAA private pilots license. Three have started university aviation career programs.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.