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Quest Scholars Program

EIN 94-3348336 · Palo Alto, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

QUESTBRIDGE IS A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT WITH A MISSION TO CONNECT HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS TO TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$11.3 million
Spending
$10.7 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
23.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
64
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$315,712, ceo/board chair

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $8.8 million spent. QUESTBRIDGE IS A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT WITH A MISSION TO CONNECT HIGH-ACHIEVING STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS TO TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, AND LIFE OPPORTUNITIES. FROM OUR FOUNDING OVER 30 YEARS AGO, QUESTBRIDGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GEOGRAPHY, OR ACADEMIC INTEREST. OUR GOAL IS TO SUPPORT STRONG AND DYNAMIC FUTURE LEADERS WHO WILL DRIVE INNOVATION AND IMPACT IN EVERY SECTOR OF SOCIETY. IN 2024, QUESTBRIDGE SUPPORTED OVER 8,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ALL 50 STATES ON THEIR PATH TO A TOP COLLEGE, AND OVER 30,000 SCHOLARS AND ALUMNI AS THEY NAVIGATE COLLEGE AND CAREER.
  2. $184,237 spent. QUEST SCHOLARS NETWORK - THE QUEST SCHOLARS NETWORK CONNECTS QUEST SCHOLARS AND ENABLES THEM TO GET INVOLVED WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE. IN 2024 QUESTBRIDGE SUPPORTED OVER 30,000 SCHOLARS AND ALUMNI AS THEY NAVIGATE COLLEGE AND CAREER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2000.

    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 October 21, 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.