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City of Dreams

EIN 20-0719899 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CITY OF DREAMS MISSION IS TO HELP THE YOUTH LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO'S PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES BUILD BRIGHT FUTURES THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$694,291
Spending
$653,934
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
8
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$109,063, 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 65% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
  1. $195,409 spent. PRJ Z / GROUND ZERO - TEEN - THE GROUND ZERO PROGRAM PROVIDES FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONAL YOUTH BY OFFERING A SAFE SPACE TO DEVELOP CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS AND BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THROUGH SKILL-BUILDING WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIP ACTIVITIES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. THE PROGRAM'S SHORT-TERM GOAL IS TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, WHILE THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE IS TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO CREATE POSITIVE LIFE TRAJECTORIES.
  2. $120,600 spent. MENTORSHIP & DEVELOPMENT - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES WEEKLY MENTORSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH, FOCUSING ON BUILDING LIFE SKILLS, FOSTERING PERSONAL GROWTH, AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH WORKSHOPS, TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES, AND ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING. THE PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP YOUTH DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, WITH THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF EMPOWERING THEM TO ACHIEVE ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL SUCCESS.
  3. $95,345 spent. GARDENING & WELLNESS - THE GARDENING AND WELLNESS PROGRAM EMPOWERS YOUTH BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN PRACTICAL SKILLS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND WORK EXPERIENCE. PARTICIPANTS EARN INCENTIVES WHILE ENGAGING IN HANDS-ON PROJECTS IN HORTICULTURE, FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, CONFIDENCE, AND PATHWAYS TO HEALTHIER LIVES.
  4. $85,842 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - GENERAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY LEARNING HUB AND SUMMER TOGETHER.

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

  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 June 2015.

    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.