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Project Echo

EIN 95-4580212 · Santa Monica, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION: PROJECT ECHO EMPOWERS STUDENTS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS SO THAT THEY CAN THRIVE IN COLLEGE, THEIR CAREERS AND IN THEIR COMMUNITY AS CHANGE-MAKERS.VISION: PROJECT ECHO'S UNIQUE MODEL OF HANDS-ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP LEARNING GIVES STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TIE-IN INDUSTRY-SECTOR THEMES WHILE LINKING THEIR LEARNING TO SOLVING REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS.GOALS: 1. TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURIAL, BUSINESS AND LIFE SKILLS.2. TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS A COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR COLLEGE ENTRANCE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT.3. TO PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO OUR STUDENTS THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED MENTORSHIP, INCLUSIVE OF MBA STUDENTS THROUGH EXECTUIVE VOLUNTEERS.4. TO INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG OUR STUDENTS, THE PUBLIC, AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.5. TO BUILD NETWORKS/ALLIANCES BETWEEN OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$26,240
Spending
$141,263
Reserves
12.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Highest pay
$59,004, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 438% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $31,232 spent. PROJECT ECHO ENROLLED 383 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM 34 SCHOOLS IN A CLASSROOM-BASED INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP. STUDENTS WORKED INDIVIDUALLY AND IN TEAMS THROUGH A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM THAT GUIDED THEM FROM IDEA GENERATION TO THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT OF A FORMAL WRITTEN BUSINESS PLAN AND INVESTOR PITCH. EACH STUDENT TEAM IDENTIFIED A COMMUNITY-BASED PROBLEM AND DESIGNED AN INNOVATIVE PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO ADDRESS IT. FROM THESE, 223 STUDENTS (59 TEAMS) ADVANCED TO PROJECT ECHO'S TEEN ENTREPRENEURS' BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION, HOSTED ON CAMPUS OF CSU DOMINGUEZ HILLS. ABOUT 65 VOLUNTEER JUDGES REVIEWED AND EVALUATED WRITTEN BUSINESS PLANS (220 VOLUNTEER HOURS), AND AN ADDITIONAL 30 JUDGES CONTRIBUTED 240 HOURS EVALUATING LIVE (IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM) STUDENT PRESENTATIONS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, MORE THAN $9,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO 10 WINNING TEAMS.PROJECT ECHO OPERATES ON A COST-SHARING MODEL, CHARGING PROGRAMS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE ACTUAL PROGRAM COST AND SECURING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIPS TO COVER THE REMAINDER. THIS APPROACH ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS, ALLOWING ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, COMPETE, AND SUCCEED THROUGH HANDS-ON ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.