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Mk Level Playing Field Institute

EIN 91-2088635 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

AT SMASH, WE AIM TO BUILD A STRONG STEM WORKFORCE THROUGH ACADEMIC LEARNING AND EXPERIENTIAL ENGAGEMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. WE EMPOWER DEDICATED STUDENTS IN STEM FIELDS THROUGH INTENSIVE EDUCATION, RIGOROUS COURSEWORK, AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AIMING TO CULTIVATE SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND CAREERS. OUR VISION IS TO CREATE A STEM ECOSYSTEM WHERE EVERY STUDENT CAN THRIVE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES, WE SEEK TO ENRICH OUR COMMUNITIES AND WORKPLACES WITH WELL-PREPARED, COMPETITIVE LEADERS.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
134
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$275,137, cdo (thru 3/2024) / ceo (start 3/2024)

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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $3.2 million spent. SSMASH RESIDENTIAL - SMASH RESIDENTIAL IS AN INTENSIVE, CS-FOCUSED SUMMER PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CS AND STEM FIELDS. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO SCHOLARS ENTERING THE 11TH AND 12TH GRADES. EACH YEAR, SCHOLARS RECEIVE MORE THAN 300 HOURS OF STEM COURSEWORK, MENTORSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PRIMARILY ON-SITE AT ONE OF OUR PARTNER UNIVERSITIES: UC BERKELEY, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND SPELMAN COLLEGE.
  2. $850,630 spent. SMASH VIRTUAL - SMASH VIRTUAL IS AN ONLINE PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES SCHOLARS EARLY EXPOSURE TO CS/EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TOPICS AND CAREER PROFESSIONALS. THE ONLINE PLATFORM PROVIDES VIRTUAL COURSES ON TOPICS INCLUDING AI/ML, CYBERSECURITY, AND PROGRAMMING TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR FUTURE CS EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS. THE ONLINE PLATFORM ALSO INCLUDES A COLLEGE+CAREER DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES INSIGHTS INTO COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS IN CS AND STEM, TO SHARE INFORMATION, EXPERIENCES, AND RESOURCES TO HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE AND SUCCEED IN THEIR CS JOURNEY. THIS CONTENT IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALUMNI OF SMASH PROGRAMS AS WELL AS OTHER INTERESTED SCHOLARS.
  3. $378,626 spent. SMASH ALUMNI - WHEN SMASH SCHOLARS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY JOIN THE SMASH ALUMNI PROGRAM. THE SMASH ALUMNI PROGRAMMING IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING OUR GRADUATES AS THEY TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES WORKSHOPS, RESOURCES, MENTORSHIP, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE ALUMNI SUCCEED IN THEIR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 July 2001.

    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.