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Chesterton Foundation of St George

EIN 87-4702553 · Jackson, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Chesterton Foundation of St. George, along with the rest of the Chesterton Schools Network, seeks to raise up a new generation of joyful leaders and saints educated in the classical tradition and truths of the Catholic faith. In order to accomplish this mission, the primary activity of the Chesterton Foundation of St. George is to operate a school in order to educate young men and women of high school age in the Jackson, MI area. In particular, the education of the foundation focuses on three core areas or pillars to further its mission: the spiritual, the intellectual, and the moral.

Income
$431,853
Spending
$449,745
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
7
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$71,846, president

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $220,842 spent. The primary work of the Chesterton Foundation of St. George was to run an educational program presenting classes in classical education and Catholic spirituality to students in grades 9 through 12. This year, the organization continued to employ its three full time teachers from last year. For these educational services the organization did generate revenue through the charging of tuition and fees.
  2. $19,270 spent. The second major program achievement of the organization was the further development of the curriculum according to the standards of the Chesterton Schools Network. Acting in accordance with its minimal technology policy, the organization continued to invest in books for the use of its students. Furthermore, the organization also made a significant investment in an inventory of chemicals and equipment for a new Chemistry class. In order to develop its faculty and staff, the organization also sent it's faculty and staff to a summer conference with the Chesterton Schools Network. At this conference, faculty and staff were equipped with new knowledge and methods that allowed them to continue the mission of the school.
  3. $13,396 spent. The third and final achievement of the organization during the year was the hosting of various cultural and spiritual events. These events included talks for the students and the general public, spiritual retreats, a pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington D.C., a bowling club for the students, and more. For many of these events, the school provided food and educational materials. In some circumstances, the school also provided travel costs for these events.

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 November 6, 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 August 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 November 4, 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.