The Refugee Education Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To support refugee children and families to gain the necessary skills for seamless and successful integration into the community through providing comprehensive educational support and youth development services, along with fostering cultural knowledge and understanding.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 45
- Volunteers
- 152
- Highest pay
- $119,930, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 91% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (3)
- $436,849 spent. Comprehensive support for K-12 refugee students that a) expose participants to new topics, themes, and culture they will encounter in their new school in an effort to prepare students to enter and excel in the classroom; b) prepares high-school students through individualized support in order to complete high school and transition successfully into continuing education or job force; c) tutors and mentors students to supplement literacy, language development, socio-emotional well-being. 573 students were served during 2024.
- $576,764 spent. Provides children of refugee background, aged 0-3, with culturally responsive and multilingual early childhood education. Its primary purpose is to support the children's development to match the development of American born peers. Additionally, this program creates economic opportunities for refugee adults through direct employment, and for those who are learning or working elsewhere and need quality childcare. 35 children were served during 2024.
- $435,166 spent. Service to provide parent and caregiver school orientation, school enrollment aid, and assistance with parent-teacher conferences and parent/student workshops. Additionally, referral services are provided to families and individuals to Refugee Education Center programs and services as well as our partners' direct service programs and/or other state-funded benefit programs. Household and family stability support is central, addressing issues of health, education, and economic stability. 381 students enrolled in school across 18 districts and over 299 family units were served in 2024.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 December 2025.
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 August 2006.
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 October 21, 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.