InvestED
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
InvestED does not meet the following 7 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once Every 2 Years.
- Receive information about the financial arrangements made with outside development consultant hired in the past year
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its September 2025 effectiveness assessment.
Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the organization spent $620,825 or 56% of its total expenses ($1,009,703) on programs.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
InvestED does not meet this Standard becasue:
- Although the organization reported total revenue in the amount of $2,844,686 for the year ended June 30, 2025, InvestED states that it does not have audited financial statements.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because the 2025 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
- Total end of year net assets.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
InvestED does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://www.invested.org, does not provide access to a privacy policy.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 10, 15, 19
InvestED meets the remaining 10 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to provide immediate help for secondary students in Washington to improve their attendance, engagement, and graduation rates."
Year, State Incorporated:
1963, WA
InvestED reports it provides support for 47,000 students annually, partnering with 650 schools within the state of Washington by providing immediate financial support. Through the organization's program, schools receive immediate access to funding that provides support for low-income students. Funding helps cover the cost of ASB cards and supplemental workbooks; warm coats and clothing; test fees and health expenses; band equipment and college applications; sports equipment and graduation fees; remote learning support and more.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, InvestED's program expenses were:
| Program services | $433,078 |
| Student Equity Through Every Donation | $187,747 |
| Total Program Expenses | $620,825 |
Chief Executive
John Mullin
Compensation*
$9,000
Chair of the Board
James Ivers
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle of Parnassus Holdings
Board Size
15
Paid Staff Size
3
*2024 compensation, as reported by the organization includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: David Hartness, Operations and Program Director, was the highest paid employee during 2024, receiving $123,479 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $895,737, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on InvestED's IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Gross amount from sales of assets other than inventory, net | $1,725,646 |
| Government grants | $449,547 |
| Contributions | $405,154 |
| Investment income | $223,303 |
| Special events, net | $36,490 |
| In-kind contributions | $2,365 |
| Workplace giving | $2,181 |
| Total Income | $1,840,684 |
Programs: 56% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 36%
| Total Income | $1,840,684 |
| Total expenses: | $1,099,703 |
| Program expenses | $620,825 |
| Fundraising expenses | $78,289 |
| Administrative expenses | $400,589 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $740,981 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $7,895,551 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $8,636,532 |
| Total Liabilities | $226,650 |
| Total Assets | $8,863,182 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
