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Passes our checks

First Graduate

EIN 94-3381171 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIRST GRADUATE'S MISSION IS TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE READY TO PURSUE A CAREER THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO THEM. WE ARE A 12-YEAR+ FREE PROGRAM-RECRUITING STUDENTS IN 6TH GRADE. OFFERINGS INCLUDE HOMEWORK AND STUDY SUPPORT, TEST PREP, SCHOOL EVALUATION, FIELD TRIPS AND SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY VISITS, SCHOLARSHIP AND INTERNSHIP ACCESS, COMMUNITY BUILDING, CAREER PRESENTATIONS FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, AND MORE.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
26
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$164,700, secretary and ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 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

    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 (4)
  1. $516,354 spent. COLLEGE AND CAREER - WE ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ENROLL IN COLLEGE, COMPLETE ALL FINANCIAL FORMS, HELP THEM FIND SCHOLARSHIPS, COACH AND GUIDE THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR COLLEGE YEARS, CONNECT THEM WITH PAID INTERNSHIPS, AND GRADUATE WITHIN SIX YEARS OF ENROLLING IN COLLEGE. WE ALSO HELP THEM TRANSITION FROM COLLEGE INTO CAREERS AND THE WORKFORCE.
  2. $399,046 spent. HIGH SCHOOL - WE CONTINUE HELPING FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS BECOME COMPETITIVE COLLEGE CANDIDATES WITH TUTORING, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, CAREER EXPOSURE, NETWORKING, SUMMER INTERNSHIPS, APPLYING TO HIGH SCHOOL, SAT AND ACT TEST PREPARATION, COLLEGE VISITS, COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION, PARENT SUPPORT DURING THE PROCESS, FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS, FILING FAFSA, SELECTING COLLEGE, ETC.
  3. $388,923 spent. MIDDLE SCHOOL - WE RECRUIT STUDENTS IN 6TH GRADE AND PROVIDE THEM WITH ACADEMIC TUTORING, CAREER EXPOSURE, AND OTHER SUPPORT NEEDED TO ENABLE THEM TO TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL AND BEGIN THEIR PATH TOWARD BECOMING FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATES.
  4. $105,102 spent. GENERAL PROGRAM

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 2001.

    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.