Project Rousseau Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO EMPOWER YOUTH IN COMMUNITIES WITH THE GREATEST NEED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION. TO MENTOR UNDERPRIVILEGED, TALENTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $824,963
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 17.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 64
- Highest pay
- $90,299, secretary
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $326,632 spent. WE RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PROVIDE FREE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN LATE 2022. OUR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES CONTINUED TO EXPAND AND SECURED A CONTRACT TO OFFER LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS THROUGH THE ACACIA CENTER FOR JUSTICE.
- $212,432 spent. OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 0-26 FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, OFFERING VITAL SUPPORT TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS. IN 2024, OUR ACADEMICS PILLAR CONTINUES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS' CONFIDENCE, STUDY HABITS, AND LONG-TERM ACADEMIC SUCCESS.THROUGH OUR MENTORING AND STUDENT NEEDS PROGRAMS WE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM NON-ACADEMIC NEEDS, INCLUDING THROUGH THE PROVISION OF WINTER COATS, SHOES, AND INTERNET HOTSPOTS. WE ALSO SUPPORTED STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, NAVIGATING SOCIAL SERVICES, AND OTHER SIMILAR CHALLENGES.
- $51,347 spent. OUR BROADENING HORIZONS PILLAR CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ENRICHING LOCAL FIELD TRIPS TO MUSEUMS, SPORTS GAMES, AND MORE, WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON HELPING MIGRANT STUDENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND IMPROVE THEIR ENGLISH SKILLS AS THEY NAVIGATE THEIR NEW HOMETOWN. WE HIRED OUR FIRST FULL-TIME BROADENING HORIZONS COORDINATOR WHO EXPANDED OUR CULTURAL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING, PARTICULARLY IN THE ARTS.
- $1,628 spent. OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO GIVE-BACK TO OTHERS, INCLUDING THROUGH OUR FLAGSHIP ANNUAL EVENT, PIE DAY.
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
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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 August 2011.
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 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.