California Emerging Technology Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Provide leadership statewide to minimize the Digital Divide by accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband and advanced communications to unserved and underserved communities.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $10.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 68%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 6
- Highest pay
- $495,413, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 165% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 12 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 June 30, 2025, 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)
- $9.9 million spent. CETF completed the development of the CETF Digital Equity Ecosystem as a major asset: integrated to optimize impact of each component, driven by Direct Notification; achieved the most cost-effective system of services operating at scale statewide; and recognized by partners as a valuable asset with increasing references in partner proposals. The CETF Digital Equity Ecosystem is operated as a seamless continuum of supports for CBOs so they can focus on outreach and delivery of services in-language and in-culture to reach the most low-income households. The following are the CETF assets and resources to support the Digital Equity Ecosystem:- Working Relationships Statewide with Spectrum of Community, Public, and Private Partners- Operations at Scale for Cost-Effective Implementation and Grant Management- Ability to Partner with New CBOs as Additional Trusted Messengers to Build Local Capacity- Understanding and Experience in Planning and Managing Direct Notification- Tool Kit and Templates for Affordable Internet Service Offers in Multiple Languages- Get Connected Call Center with Ability to Accommodate Multiple Communications Channels- Curricula to Train Digital Navigators and Coach to Success- Digital Literacy Training Curricula and Facilitator Guides (UNESCO Framework 6 Elements)- Digital Literacy Skills Proficiency Self-Assessment for Common Metrics- Online Learning Platform with Curriculum Content and Self-Assessment Process- Experience in Organizing and Supporting In-Person Enrollment Events Statewide- Knowledge in Public Awareness Advertising in Community and Ethnic Media Channels- Established Strategies to Generate Revenue Streams for Computing Devices- Data Analysis to Benchmark Costs and Project Possible Impacts- Deep Experience in Integrating and Managing All Components of Digital Equity Ecosystem Enrolled 13,709 low-income Unconnected Households in affordable Internet service: (1) 12,239 Low-income Households statewide through a California Public Utilities Commission (CASF) California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Call Center Grant; (2) 220 Low-Income Households in 5 AB617 Communities (West Oakland, East Oakland, Richmond, South Sacramento, Stockton) through a CPUC CASF Grant for 5 AB617 Communities; and (3) 1,250 Low-income Households through the Riverside County Partnership. Delivered Digital Literacy Training to 750 Low-Income Households: (1) 600 Low-Income Households in 3 Regions (Pacific Coast, Southeast Los Angeles County, and Riverside County) supported by CPUC CASF Grants; (2) 100 Low-Income Households in Silicon Valley and Central Coast supported by an AT&T Foundation Grant; and (3) 50 Low-Income Households in Silicon Valley supported by Kaiser Permanente Foundation.
- CETF completed and met all CETF T-Mobile MOU performance obligations. CETF awarded 35 Local Government Best Practices Check List Grants. The Jurisdiction project engaged and facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration in 3 required Learning Communities, and CETF also conducted 2 optional webinars to encourage and support Jurisdictions to submit CPUC CASF Grant Applications. 29 Action Plans were submitted by 35 Local Governments to distribute information about affordable Internet offers and Digital Literacy Training. 32 Final Reports have been compiled to date, and a Project Summary will be prepared for publication and circulation. Participants reported that the Project has been instrumental in shaping their understanding of what Local Governments can do to accelerate Deployment and Adoption. CETF awarded 55 Digital Equity Leadership Grants. The Leadership Grants awarded to date included a spectrum of organizations: RBCs; MPOs (including permit streamlining); San Joaquin Valley Network Request for Qualifications for Prospective Partnerships (RFQPP) process; NextGen Policy (grassroots engagement for Digital Equity and BEAD planning and ACP enrollment); and the California State Association of Counties.
- On December 31, 2024 CETF and >51 Partners were awarded a Competitive Grant ($12M total with $1M net to CETF) by the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The CETF award was 1 of 24 across the nation and the only California-based recipient announced by NTIA in the first round of Competitive Grants, which speaks to the extent of inclusive collaboration forged by application and the quality of the NTIA proposal. The award was terminated on May 20, 2025 by NTIA, so CETF focused on a Pivot to the Future. CETF immediately informed Partners and prospective California Department of Technology (CDT) CalDEP Applications Collaborators regarding the NITA termination of the awarded Competitive Grant and the State Capacity Grant. CETF regrouped with Partners, and on behalf of the Partners, submitted a Get Connected! California Partnership (GCCP) Grant Application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for a California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account. The purpose of this Grant is to build capacity among 46 Partners to accelerate Broadband Adoption by 15,0000 low-income households (HHs). The Partners include: 33 community-based organizations (CBOs); 12 Regional Broadband Consortia (RBC); and 1 Metropolitan Planning Organization (Southern California Council of Governments (SCAG) representing 6 Counties and 191 Cities). The RBCs and SCAG in turn will be working with 35 Local Governments to support implementation of Action Plans they have developed to notify residents about available affordable Internet service offers and Digital Literacy Training.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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