Operation Better Block Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE STRATEGIZE, ORGANIZE AND MOBILIZE, BLOCK BY BLOCK, TO BENEFIT THE HOMEWOOD COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 66%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 6
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
Fair: 55 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 48% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 84 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (4)
- $1.1 million spent. GROUP VIOLENCE INTERVENTION INITIATIVE - OPERATION BETTER BLOCKS GROUP VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM USES DIGITAL TOOLS TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO RESOURCES QUICKLY, CAPTURE INFORMATION ABOUT RECIPIENTS THAT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY USED BY CASE WORKERS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE, WHO ARE AT RISK OF INCARCERATION AND THOSE WHO ARE RE-ENTERING SOCIETY AFTER INCARCERATION. BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SERVICE PROVIDERS, TRUSTED ADVISOR AND THE PEOPLE NEEDING HELP, LEVERAGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STREET OUTREACH WORK.
- $445,354 spent. RESIDENT SERVICES INITIATIVES - PROVIDES MOTIVATION, FINANCES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO IMPROVE HOUSING AND DEVELOP NEW HOUSING. PERFORMS PERIODIC SURVEYS ON COMMUNITY NEEDS AND CHANGES. ASSISTS IN PLANNING FOR NEW IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. ASSISTS NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS WHO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AFFECTING ASPECTS OF SOCIAL FUNCTIONING, AND TRANSMITS THE COMMUNITYS CONCERNS TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DECISION MAKERS, ASSURING THAT ALL VOICES ARE HEARD BEFORE COMMITMENTS AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY ARE MADE.
- $222,677 spent. GREEN INITIATIVES (JUNIOR GREEN CORPS) - THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE JUNIOR GREEN CORPS IS TO PROVIDE HOMEWOOD YOUTH, AGES 14-19, WITH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES THAT IMPACT THEIR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, EQUIP THEM FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE GREEN COLLAR JOBS AND CAREERS. THE JUNIOR GREEN CORPS PROGRAM TARGETS YOUTH WHO FACE ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, OR PERSONAL BARRIERS SUCH AS DEFICIENCIES IN BASIC LITERACY SKILLS, PARENTHOOD, AND MINOR LEGAL ISSUES. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, WE PROVIDE OUR YOUTH WITH ACCESS TO THE GREEN INDUSTRY.
- $129,895 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES - OBB PARTICIPATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOMEWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLA. OBB CREATED/DEVELOPED THE LAND USE PLAN THAT IS IN THE HOMEWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
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 January 1972.
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.
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.