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Northern Light School

EIN 94-3097690 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN FROM ALL SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS. THE FACULTY AND STAFF CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN GROW ACADEMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO BECOME HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. THE FOCUS IS ON ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AS WELL AS NON-VIOLENCE, ACCEPTANCE OF DIFFERENCES, RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND MORAL ADVANCEMENT OF HUMANITY SO THAT THE CHILDREN DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 58%
Employees
38
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$137,395, dir. of students

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: 42 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 38 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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. $2.9 million spent. NORTHERN LIGHT SCHOOL IS A LEADING INDEPENDENT OAKLAND, CA NON PROFIT, PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 8 ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES EXCELLENT EDUCATION TO CHILDREN FROM ACROSS THE BAY AREA. AT NORTHERN LIGHT SCHOOL, WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A BAY AREA SCHOOL THAT BUILDS A SCHOOL FAMILY AND IS DEDICATED TO OFFERING CHILDREN AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION THAT WILL ENHANCE NOT ONLY THEIR ACADEMIC GROWTH BUT ALSO THEIR EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. OUR FACULTY IS HERE TO TEACH AND NURTURE THE CHILDREN IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF CHALLENGES, EXPLORATION, STRUCTURE AND LOVE. NORTHERN LIGHT SCHOOL IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT ALL OF US: CHILDREN, FACULTY, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.

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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2018.

    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 June 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 December 2019.

    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.