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Escala Initiative Inc

EIN 27-2704326 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ORGANIZATION FORMED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, RELIGIOUS AND OTHER PURPOSES. (COLLECTIVELY, "CHARITABLE PURPOSES") AS SPECIFIED IN IRS CODE SEC. 501(C)(3). THE ORGANIZATION SHALL ENGAGE IN CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDING EDUCATION WHICH FOCUSES ON EMPOWERING DISADVANTAGED ENTREPRENEURS AND ARTISANS - THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE WOMEN - WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AROUND THE WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES BASIC EDUCATION AND GIVES PEOPLE THE TOOLS TO BUILD THE FUTURE THEY WANT FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH ESCALA'S RENOWNED BUSINESS SCHOOL AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM, WOMEN AND OTHER FROM LOW RESOURCE COMMUNITIES ARE LEARNING HOW TO BECOME PROFITABLE AND SELF-SUFFICIENT ENTREPRENEURS, HELPING THEM EARN A DIGNIFIED LIVING INCOME AND BETTER SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$308,538
Spending
$387,065
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 April 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)
  1. WITH OVER 25 TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS, ESCALA HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEDICATED TO ALLEVIATING POVERTY AND HELPING PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH FEMALE-FOCUSED ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION. OUR PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM PROVIDE WOMEN AND OTHERS FROM LOW-RESOURCE COMMUNITIES THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCE TO BECOME PROFITABLE AND SELF-SUFFICIENT ENTREPRENEURS, HELPING THEM EARN A LIVING INCOME. OUR WORK ENSURES PEOPLE HAVE THE ECONOMIC MEANS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THIS SUPPORT TO ALL WHO NEED IT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 April 2025.

    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 2011.

    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.