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California Forward

EIN 26-0566540 · Hercules, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CA FWD DRIVES ACTION TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO SCALE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THE STATE IS FACING. THE ORGANIZATION IS DRIVEN BY THE BELIEF THAT REGIONAL SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE WILL HELP ENSURE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIAL PROSPERITY.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
13
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$196,324, executive director - non-voting

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $869,531 spent. REGIONAL ACTION AND METRICS:CA FWD SUPPORTED REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA JOBS FIRST PROGRAM, AND HOSTED ITS ANNUAL CALIFORNIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT WITH REGIONAL PARTNERS IN SACRAMENTO.
  2. $178,541 spent. REGIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:CA FWD SUPPORTED PEER EXCHANGES AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CALIFORNIA STEWARDSHIP NETWORK, AN ALLIANCE OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS, AND ALSO FOSTERED NEW REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH ITS YOUNG LEADERS AND BECKY MORGAN STEWARD LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.
  3. $277,747 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FISCAL RESILIENCE, ENERGY TRANSITION:CAFWD DEVELOPED POLICY STRATEGIES AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IN THE CORE AREAS OF ENERGY TRANSITION AND FISCAL RESILIENCE, IN SUPPORT OF ITS BROADER GOALS OF ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AND OVERALL ECONOMIC RESILIENCE ACROSS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA; THIS WORK INCLUDED WORKING TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN INDUSTRY PARTNERS, REGIONAL LEADERS, AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.