Return to Roots Learning Community Corp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Seeks to reimangine educational excellence by offering a nature-based, holistic approach to learning that is rich in academic, artistic, practical, social, and physical opportunities in an inclusive, diverse, & self-directed environment.
- Income
- $270,669
- Spending
- $272,443
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $54,843, director
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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 130% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 156% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (7)
- A learning community for students ages 4 through 18. Return to Roots learning community staff and volunteers conduct this activity. We are a play-based and learner LED organization where learners design their own educational pathway based on their interests, abilities, and needs utilizing our resources, staff, community connections, tools, and supplies. This activity is conducted at Return to Roots Learning Community property at 16 Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH, 03867. Seventy-Five percent of out total time and overall expenses are allocated to this activity. This activity is funded through membership fees, grants, donations, EFA Grants, state scholarship, DCYF placement, and collaborations with other organizations. This activity furthers our exempt purposes as it allows greater opportunity for more children to have access to alternative education that meets their needs.
- We offer a summer program for children ages 4 through 12 that builds executive functioning skills and sensory systems through outdoor therapeutic play opportunities. Return to Roots Learning Community staff conducts this activity. This activity is conducted at Return to Roots Learning Communitys property at 16 Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH, 03867. Twenty-Five percent of out time and overal expenses are allocated to this activity. This activity is funded through tuition, EFA Grants, state scholarship, and DCYF placement. This activity furthers our exempt purposes by providing a safe environment for working and non-working families during the summer.
- We over teen nights for children ages 12 through 18. The purpose of this activity is to provide a safe place for teens to collaborate and socialize as the greater community has little to offer for its teen population. Return to Roots Learning Community staff donate their time to organize and run this program in colaboration with volunteers. This activity is conducted at Return to Roots Learning Communitys property located at 16 Whitehall Road, Rochester, NH 03867. Five percent of our time and Two percent of our overall expenses are allocated to this activity. This activity is funded through donations. This activity furthers our exempt purposes by offering opportunities to teens with no cost to the community members or themselves which opens up opportunities for teens who otherwise would have financial restrictions.
- $272,443 spent. We offer a program called coffee and topics which is a free monthly event that provides support in the areas of child growth and development, education, collaborative parenting, and family support. Return to roots Learning Community staff donate their time to conduct this activity. This activity is conducted at Return to Roots Learning Communitys property loacted at 16 Whitehall Road,
- Rochester, NH, 03867. Five percent of our time and One percent of overall expenses are allocated to this activity. This activity is funded through donations. This activity furthers our exempt purposes by providing education and support to the greater community.
- We offer a program called coffee and topics which is a free monthly 272443. 0. 0.
- Rochester, NH, 03867. Five percent of our time and One percent of overall expenses 0. 0. 0.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.