Lafayette Partners in Education
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LPIE is a community-based education foundation run by parent volunteers working to enhance and expand the educational opportunities for the over 4,500 students in Lafayette's six public schools.
- Income
- $8.2 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 15.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 95
- Highest pay
- $183,040, executive dir.
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2540 of 40 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
- $3.9 million spent. LPIE helps maintain the hallmarks of an education rich in science, math, music, art, technology, foreign language, electives and humanities. We also provide funding for support services such as instructional aides, counseling, professional development and more.Filling the funding gap:Working with the Lafayette and Acalanes School Districts, we identify areas for investment in core academics and enrichment, supporting programs and efforts that might otherwise go unfunded.Powering our schools:Since 1980, LPIE donations have provided more than $30 Million in funding to support Lafayette students.What We Do:We believe Lafayette school children need to have a well rounded education that reaches fat beyond the basics in order to thrive in today's world. Lafayette Partners in Education teams up with parents, volunteers, school districts and classroom teachers to support high priority school programs threatened by lack of regular funding, LPIE also brings specially skilled independent instructors into the classroom to share their talents and delivers extraordinary enrichment opportunities that spark students' imaginations and ignites their dreams.The foundation's efforts benefit the 4500+ students of Burton Valley, Happy Valley, Lafayette and Springhill Elementary Schools, Stanley Middle School and Acalanes High School. We fund science education, music programs, visual arts programs, foreign languages, and other electives along with classroom aides in elementary schools, counselors, and technology to enhance education at every grade level.We work closely with the Lafayette School District, Acalanes Union High School District, and parent organizations to provide the funding that helps maintain the top quality education programs of our highly regarded schools.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 January 1981.
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 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.