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California Policy Center

EIN 27-2870463 · Tustin, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CALIFORNIA POLICY CENTER IS AN EDUCATIONAL NON-PROFIT WORKING FOR THE PROSPERITY OF ALL CALIFORNIANS BY ELIMINATING PUBLIC-SECTOR BARRIERS TO FREEDOM.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
13
Highest pay
$208,590, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (5)
  1. $719,876 spent. STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING: STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHARE OUR MISSION AND VISION BUT DIFFER ON STRATEGY. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1. DISTRIBUTED SUPPORT TO LOCAL DISASTER RELIEF CHARITIES IN RESPONSE TO THE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES. 2. INCUBATED AND LAUNCHED THE CALIFORNIA JUSTICE CENTER.
  2. $589,513 spent. COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATION: GREAT IDEAS DONT MATTER IF THEY JUST SIT ON A SHELF. OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING TEAMS DEPLOY STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS THROUGH TRADITIONAL AND NEW MEDIA TO CREATE INCREMENTAL CHANGE WITHIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF POLITICIANS, THE PRESS AND CALIFORNIANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: XX MEDIA RADIO, PODCAST, OP-EDS HITS. HELPED EDUCATE 900,000 CALIFORNIANS ON THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. DEVELOPED GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH THAT DROVE INSIGHT INTO CALIFORNIAS CURRENT GOVERNANCE.
  3. $567,157 spent. COALITION BUILDING: UNITING PARENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND POLICY ALLIES TO CREATE A STRONGER STATEWIDE NETWORK FOR REFORM. THIS INCLUDES OUR PARENT UNION, OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS NETWORK AND OUR WATER & ENERGY BUSINESS LEADERS COMMUNITY WE ARE BUILDING. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: PROVIDED POLICY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION TO OVER 300 CURRENT LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. HELPED EDUCATE OVER 150 PARENT GROUP LEADERS AT OUR ANNUAL PARENT UNION SUMMIT. HOSTED WATER AND ENERGY BUSINESS LEADERS FOR ROUNDTABLES AND ABUNDANCE STRATEGY SESSIONS.
  4. $256,419 spent. RESEARCH: OUR RESEARCH TEAM PRODUCES INDEPENDENT, DATA-DRIVEN STUDIES THAT REVEAL THE REAL COSTS OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND SPOTLIGHT PROVEN SOLUTIONS. THEY PUBLISH TIMELY REPORTS, REVEAL POLICY LANDMINES, AND ARM REFORMERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THEY NEED TO WIN LASTING CHANGE. GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDE SPECIAL INTEREST SPENDING IN ELECTIONS, WATER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY, TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION, UNION MEMBERSHIP SINCE THE 2018 JANUS DECISION.
  5. $163,274 spent. POLICY REFORM: THIS IS OUR TEAM ACTUALLY WORKING IN THE STATEHOUSE AND MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE IMPLEMENTING REFORMS THAT WILL INCREASE QUALITY EDUCATION, MAKE HOUSING AFFORDABLE AGAIN AND DISMANTLE GOVERNMENT BARRIERS TO FREEDOM AND COMPETITION IN THE STATE. ACHIEVEMENTS: EDUCATED POLICY MAKERS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS ON PENDING LEGISLATION THOUGH EMAIL, JOURNALISM, EVENTS AND MEETINGS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 September 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.