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Menlo School

EIN 94-3204137 · Atherton, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood80 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

MENLO SCHOOL'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO EXPLORE AND EXPAND THEIR INTERESTS, REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL, DEVELOP THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE, AND BECOME ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE, AND ENGAGED MEMBERS OF EVER WIDER COMMUNITIES.

Income
$97.9 million
Spending
$78.0 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
454
Volunteers
839
Highest pay
$878,999, head of school

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

Good: 89 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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: 80 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    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 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. $68.7 million spent. MENLO SCHOOL PROVIDES INSTRUCTION FOR APPROXIMATELY 805 STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12, OFFERING A CURRICULUM THAT FOSTERS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH. IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, STUDENTS ARE GUIDED BY THE HABITS OF THE HEART AND MIND AND THE HABITS OF LEARNING, SUPPORTED BY TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE, CHALLENGE, AND NURTURE THEM. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM A STIMULATING ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS AND DEVELOP MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, PREPARING THEM FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.IN ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL'S ACADEMIC & CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAMS, OTHER STUDENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MENLO ABROAD, SUMMER PROGRAM, SCHOOL TRIPS, STUDENT LIFE EVENTS, ATHLETICS, AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
  2. $2.6 million spent. MENLO SCHOOL PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR MUSIC@MENLO. UNDER THIS ARRANGEMENT, MENLO SCHOOL MAINTAINS CONTROL OVER FUNDS AND ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL, AND COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE ALL ACTIVITIES FURTHER CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.THE MISSION OF MUSIC@MENLO IS TO ENGAGE AND SUSTAIN AN AUDIENCE FOR CHAMBER MUSIC, PROGRAMMED, PRESENTED, AND PERFORMED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, AND TO PROVIDE DESERVING YOUNG MUSICIANS WITH COMPREHENSIVE, FESTIVAL-BASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)MUSIC@MENLO FEATURES UNIQUE IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING, A ROSTER OF WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS, AND A CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE FOR EMERGING AND PRE-PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS. INTIMATE PERFORMANCE VENUES AND SIGNATURE OFFERINGS SUCH AS AUDIONOTES MP3S, CAF CONVERSATIONS, AND THE ENCOUNTER LECTURE SERIES OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFICIONADOS AND NEWCOMERS OF ALL AGES TO CONNECT WITH CHAMBER MUSIC IN NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAYS.MUSIC@MENLO WAS INAUGURATED IN 2003 AT MENLO SCHOOL WITH CONCERTS, LECTURES, A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ASPIRING PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS, AND OPEN-TO-THE-PUBLIC MASTER CLASSES. ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON MENLO SCHOOL'S CAMPUS.

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 October 1994.

    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.