Challenge Day
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Historically, Challenge Day was formed to help people learn to connect through powerful, life-changing programs in their schools, businesses, communities and families. Using highly interactive and energetic activities, Challenge Days programs provide teens and adults with tools to break down the walls of separation and isolation and replace them with compassion. Challenge Day inspires people to live, study and work in an environment of acceptance, love and respect. Challenge Day stands for a world where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated. Challenge Day Fund was formed to fundraise for the delivery of Challenge Day for schools in need, which may include schools with high free-and-reduced-lunch rates.
- Income
- $179,757
- Spending
- $136,114
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -44.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 16
- Highest pay
- $96,857, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 86% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
- $116,951 spent. During this fiscal year, the Challenge Day Fund proudly supported seventeen programs delivered by Toward the Real, LLC dba Challenge Day. These impactful programs reached eleven schools across the United States, positively influencing the lives of more than 2,500 teenagers.Challenge Day programs are immersive, experiential workshops designed to transform school and community climates. Through engaging and emotionally resonant activities, these programs aim to: Foster empathy and cross-cultural understanding, Strengthen peer and adult relationships, Reduce bullying and social isolation, and Positively influence student achievement and overall well-being.Challenge Day's innovative approach has received national recognition. The program has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, spotlighted in Tom Brokaws 2010 documentary Bridging the Divide, and served as the foundation for the MTV reality series If You Really Knew Me, which aired for 12 episodes.Since its inception in 1987 by founders Yvonne and Rich Dutra-St. John, Challenge Day has reached over one million students in more than 2,200 schools worldwide. The program serves youth across all gender identities, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels. To date, Challenge Day has been implemented in 49 U.S. states and has expanded internationally to countries including Canada, Japan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Australia, Belgium, and Uganda.Thanks to the support of the Challenge Day Fund, this year alone thousands more youth have been empowered to build stronger, more compassionate communitiesone school at a time.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.