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Friends of Third Street School

EIN 95-3914116 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The organization provides services and benefits to the various constituencies of Third Street School, including parents, students, teachers, vendors and others in the local community, without whose support, the school and the organization would not be successful. Many of the various programs are described in sufficient detail in this exempt organization return.

Income
$715,650
Spending
$627,877
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 91%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (11)
  1. $138,347 spent. The organization pays the cost of teacher aides to assist all teachers, K-5, with administrative duties.
  2. $136,434 spent. The organization provides the financial support for visual and performing arts at the school, including music, movement, drama and kindergarten visual arts. Friends hired instructors to provide specialized instruction and incurred costs of supplies.
  3. $71,954 spent. The organization pays for a school safety aide and physical education teacher as well as playground supplies, garden expenses, safety and campus beautification.
  4. $69,244 spent. The organization pays LAUSD for buses for extra field trips for students during the school year.
  5. $52,437 spent. The organization pays the cost of one instructor to teach computer applicatons to students K-5 as well as the cost of computer equipment and computer lab expenses.
  6. $39,800 spent. The organization pays the cost of a science lab instructor as well as science lab equipment and supplies.
  7. $34,779 spent. The organization reimburses classroom teachers up to $750 per teacher per year for expenses incurred by them for their classrooms and provides a discretionary fund to the principal through donations to LAUSD earmarked for the special needs of the school. In addition the organization pays LAUSD to partially cover the salary of a vice principal.
  8. $29,025 spent. Korean Dual Language Program: Friends of Third assists with collection of funds and payment for expenses for the school's dual-language educational program. This includes cultural events, technology in the classroom, educational supplies and extended-day enrichment programs.
  9. $25,680 spent. The organization provides other services and supplies not listed elsewhere including copier maintenance,classroom size reduction and targeted extended learning.
  10. $8,431 spent. 5th Grade Expenses: Friends of Third assists 5th Grade teachers with collection of funds and payment of expenses for activities for 5th Grade students. This includes special educational field trips, an overnight experiential learning camp and end-of-year culmination activities.
  11. $7,120 spent. The organization supports the library at the school by providing and paying for a part-time library aide who supervises the after school research and homework centers.

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 May 1986.

    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.