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California Masonic Foundation

EIN 23-7013074 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CALIFORNIA MASONIC FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO APPLY MASONIC PRINCIPLES IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH SEVERAL IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THAT TOUCH THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS EACH YEAR.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
57.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 74%
Employees
5
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$466,665, grand secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 57.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 147% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 October 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. $364,821 spent. DISTRESSED WORTHY BROTHER FUND WAS CREATED BY MASONIC HOMES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL RELIEF TO MASONS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $311,750 spent. ANNUAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP HELPS MAKE THE DREAM OF COLLEGE A REALITY FOR HUNDREDS OF TOMORROW'S LEADERS.
  3. $303,646 spent. MASONIC EDUCATION LEADERSHIP TRAINING (MELT) DEVELOPS FUTURE MASONIC LEADERS AND ENRICHES MASONIC EDUCATION THROUGH SPONSORSHIP OF THE WARDENS LEADERSHIP RETREATS, LODGE MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND ENHANCED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. THE FOUNDATION UNDERWRITES A GREAT PORTION OF THE PROGRAM EXPENSES EACH YEAR.
  4. $1.7 million spent. MASONIC PUBLIC EDUCATION - RAISING A READER, MASONS 4MITTS, MANAGEMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS, OVERSIGHT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO MORE THAN 350 LOCAL MASONIC LODGES, SPONSOR OF THE ANNUAL CALIFORNIA TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, AND ANNUAL LEADERSHIP GRANT TO MASONIC YOUTHS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 2025.

    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 May 1969.

    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.