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Mercer Island Schools Foundation

EIN 91-1143444 · Mercer Island, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MERCER ISLAND SCHOOLS FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) PUBLIC SERVICE, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ENHANCING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROVIDED TO ALL STUDENTS OF THE MERCER ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BY OBTAINING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Income
$981,475
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
107
Highest pay
$115,271, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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. $340,391 spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT: GRANTS WHICH DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE ACADEMIC AND FINE ARTS PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOLS INCLUDING SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS, CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT GRANTS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, CURRICULUM REVIEWS AND ADOPTIONS, AS WELL AS DESIGNATED GIFTS TO EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS.
  2. $485,381 spent. THE SPRING FOR SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN WAS AN ONGOING COMMUNITY-WIDE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN. FUNDS WERE USED TO HELP THE DISTRICT MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND THE LOWEST CLASS SIZES POSSIBLE.
  3. $23,034 spent. STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS: GRANTS WHICH SUPPORT THE VARIED AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY SPECIAL SERVICES, THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S 2ND STEP PROGRAM THAT TEACHES SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL "WHERE EVERYBODY BELONGS" PROGRAM, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL ISLANDER HOUR PROGRAM.
  4. $2,435 spent. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF: GRANTS FOR TEACHER TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION SO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN ATTRACT AND RETAIN EXCELLENT TEACHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.