Tenants Together
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
As California's only statewide renters' rights organization, Tenants Together works to improve the lives of California's tenants through capacity-building, movement-building, and statewide advocacy.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $91,207, executive dir.
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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 59% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $747,517 spent. In fiscal year FY 24-25 Tenants Together focused on 1. Capacity Building - Providing technical to tenants organization around the state. 2. Supporting emerging local Tenants Unions, and 3. 2 Movement Building - Connecting and Uniting Tenant Groups Statewide 3 Statewide Advocacy - Effectively Represent Tenant Groups in the Capitol around California to be a significant constituent with the ability to sway legislative efforts locally and statewide. Tenants Together held monthly peer learning spaces for tenant groups around the state to discuss trends, laws, and difficult tenant counseling cases. Tenants Together created know your rights materials, toolkits, and sample letters to assist tenants in California enforce their rights. Tenants Together supported legislative efforts statewide, and worked on helping to pass SB 567 to expand tenant protection statewide. Additionally, Tenants Together co-hosted the California Renter Power Assembly in Fresno, the first live statewide assembly in 5 years, attended by over 300 participants.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.