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California School Boards Foundation

EIN 94-1623582 · W Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak37 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND TRAINING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, CONDUCT POLICY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ON EDUCATION-RELATED ISSUES, TO RECOGNIZE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN CALIFORNIA, TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF COOPERATIVE PLANNING AND ACTION FOR RESEARCH, SURVEYS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, TO DISSEMINATE, THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DERIVED FROM EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH, TO SUPPORT EDUCATION-RELATED PROJECTS WHICH ARE OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE AND INTEREST, AND TO SEEK ADEQUATE FUNDS FROM FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO FINANCE PROJECTS OF THE FOUNDATION WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH THIS PURPOSE.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
-16.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$534,399, director

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

Weak: 37 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 89% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (2)
  1. $840,225 spent. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANTS WHICH FUND PROJECTS ADDRESSING A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT IMPACT SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT. THESE ISSUES MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, EXTENDED LEARNING, STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS, CONDITIONS OF CHILDREN, COLLEGE AND CAREER READY INITIATIVES, CURRIUCULUM, EDUCATION WORKFORCE HOUSING, AND THE LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA AND LOCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY PLANS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING POLICY BRIEFS, FACT SHEETS, ARTICLES AND GUIDEBOOKS, VIDEOS AND ONLINE MODULES, WEBINARS AND CONDUCTING TRAININGS, PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPERINTENDENTS IN ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES AS THEY IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH THEIR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
  2. $355,482 spent. THE ANNUAL GOLDEN AWARDS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATION. THE AWARDS PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE BY RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES OF SCHOOL BOARDS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COUNTY OFFICES OF EDUCATION THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. THE AWARDS ALSO RECOGNIZE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND BOARDSMANSHIP OF AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER AND A GOVERNANCE TEAM, AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE EDUCATION JOURNALISTS PLAY IN CREATING AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY. AT THE ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW, WINNERS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT A FORMAL EVENT. AS A RESULT, WINNERS RECEIVE POSITIVE MEDIA COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTING BEST PRACTICES AND EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA'S PRE K-12 STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

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 February 1970.

    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.