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Passes our checks

Upstart Bay Area

EIN 26-3094076 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ACCELERATE GROWTH, NURTURE IDEAS, AND ADVANCE NEW EXPERIENCES FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BY CONNECTING IMPACT-DRIVEN ENTREPRENEURS TO EXPERTISE, COMMUNITY, AND CAPITAL. TOGETHER, WERE CREATING A MORE JUST, VIBRANT, AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
26
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$305,424, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 25

    17 of 17 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $5.1 million spent. SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND VENTURE NETWORK: UpStart supports a diverse set of Jewish entrepreneurs at every stage of their ventures development. Idea-stage programming is specifically designed to support underrepresented Jewish social entrepreneurs seeking to develop ideas that answer unmet needs in the community; Early-stage cohort programming provides resources and training to support social entrepreneurs to achieve product-market fit for their ventures; Growth-stage cohort programming teaches social entrepreneurs how to run effective organizations, acquire sustainable revenue, and create impact; Services for mezzanine-stage ventures formalize their operations.UpStart participants and program alumni have ongoing access to a clearly defined network that provides robust resources.
  2. $593,681 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP: UpStart offers a pre-approved, grant relationship fiscal sponsorship (Model C fiscal sponsorship) to mission-aligned organizations and charges them a nominal administrative fee for operating the program.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 March 2009.

    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 October 21, 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.