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Screen a listMaking Waves Academy
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- IRS nonprofit listing
- No issue
- Revocation
- None
- IRS files
- Agree
- Sanctions
- No match
- IRS bulletin
- No notice
- California
- Not current
- Charity type
- 509(a)(1)
$28Mrevenue
FY2025 · +3% in 3 yrs221staff
8 of 8years filed
’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Revenue and spendingRevenueSpendingDeficit
Against similar nonprofits FY2025
Operating margin−0.2%
Months of reserve2.7mo
Revenue growth (annualized)+7.3%
Middle half of peersMedianMaking Waves Academy
Where the money goes FY2025 · $28M spent
Programs$26M94%Management and general$1.8M6%990 FY2025 · Part IX line 25
Nothing to check in the filings
In its favor4
Strong governance
7 of 7 board members independent. Conflict-of-interest and whistleblower policies, audited financial statements, board reviews the 990.
990 Part VIGrowing faster than peers
Revenue up 7% a year since FY2017, faster than half of similar nonprofits.
990 Part I · peer cohortFunders stay
5 of the 7 funders that gave before FY2021 are still giving.
Funders’ 990-PF grant listsA history of government grants
Government grants on 9 of its 9 returns, 71% of revenue in FY2025.
990 Part VIII16funders
$7.0Ma year, last 3 years
82%from its largest funder
Funder’17’18’19’20’21’22’23John H and Regina K Scully FoundationEvery year since FY2017$4.0M$7.0M$5.9M$11M$6.5M$6.4M$4.5MFullerton Family FoundationStopped after FY2019$1.0M$1.0M$1.0M–Making Waves Foundation Inc Aka Making Waves Education FoundationEvery year since FY2017$320k$160k$87k$140k$78k$150k$192kRobert and Ruth Halperin FoundationOn and off$50kThe Chris and Melody Malachowsky Family FoundationNew in FY2023$50kChamberlin Education FoundationStopped after FY2022$10k$8k–Donor-advised giftsDonors not disclosed$13k$25k$35k$1.0M$1.0M$1.1M$1.1M4 other fundersUp to $4k a year each$250$225$5k$3k$2k$2k
FundedThrough a donor-advised fundStopped