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Corte Madera Larkspur Foundation

EIN 94-2934350 · Larkspur, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID AND SUPPORT BY WAY OF GIFTS, GRANTS, OR LOANS FOR SELECTED PROGRAMS TO BE PROVIDED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR GROUPS WHICH FURTHER EDUCATIONAL AND RELATED NEEDS OF MINORS AND ADULTS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$52,527, board chair (ed thru 6/30/24)

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. SPARK IS THE LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION SUPPORTING THE LARKSPUR-CORTE MADERA SCHOOL DISTRICT (LCMSD). SPARK RAISES FUNDS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN PUBLIC FUNDING AND THE COST OF HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO VITAL PROGRAMS NOT FULLY COVERED BY STATE AND LOCAL REVENUE. SPARK FUNDS SALARIES FOR TEACHERS IN MUSIC, ART, STEM, COUNSELING, WELLNESS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND LEADERSHIP, AS WELL AS ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING. THROUGH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, INCLUDING AN ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN, BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, SPARK HELPS PROVIDE A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS IN LCMSD.

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 April 1987.

    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.