Laurel District Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to revitalize the commercial corridor of the Laurel District, one of Oaklands beloved and most unique communities.
- Income
- $608,584
- Spending
- $542,350
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 43%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $51,662, executive dir.
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 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 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 (1)
- $500,486 spent. In 2025, the Laurel District Association (LDA) continued to strengthen the districts identity and visibility through coordinated marketing, communications, and public programming. The LDA maintained an active digital presence across Facebook, Instagram, and email, generating over 760,000 combined social media views and reaching more than 9,700 followers across platforms. The organization distributed 49 electronic newsletters to a growing subscriber base of 1,767, achieving a 42% average open rate and over 20,600 total opens. Ongoing promotional effortsincluding digital advertising, social media campaigns, print media, and district guideshelped drive awareness and visitation to The Laurels commercial corridor. The LDA produced 13 signature public events in 2025, drawing an estimated 40,000 attendees and supporting increased foot traffic for local businesses. Highlights included the 24th Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival, which attracted approximately 15,000 visitors and featured 175 performers and 150 vendors, as well as eight Live in the Laurel concert events and Make Music Day celebrations. Seasonal and cultural events such as Lunar New Year, the Santa Stroll, and the newly launched Laurel Tricks, Treats & Traditions further reinforced the districts role as a vibrant, family-friendly destination. In addition, the LDA supported approximately 40 non-BID events, broadening community engagement and strengthening partnerships across the district. Throughout 2025, the LDA maintained and enhanced the public right-of-way to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Supplemental cleaning services were provided six days per week, including sidewalk sweeping, graffiti abatement, illegal dumping removal, and maintenance of public spaces. The organization removed 520 graffiti incidents, collected approximately 23,400 pounds of trash, and addressed 20 illegal dumping cases. Beautification efforts included maintaining 80 planters, 40 tree wells, 54 street banners, and 65 public art elements, contributing to an attractive and well-maintained streetscape that supports local commerce and neighborhood pride. The LDA also expanded its safety and security initiatives in 2025. Through its Security Ambassador Program, the organization delivered 2,704 patrol hours and an additional 600 administrative safety hours, with increased focus on overnight patrols and high-incident areas. Safety ambassadors conducted 3,120 merchant check-ins and responded to 66 direct service requests, while coordinating closely with the Oakland Police Department. The districts network of 38 security cameras supported 63 incident investigations during the year. Seasonal safety efforts, including the Shop Safe Holiday Initiative, further enhanced the sense of security for merchants, residents, and visitors. In 2025, the LDA strengthened business support and stakeholder engagement through regular outreach and collaborative initiatives. The organization conducted approximately 1,200 merchant contacts and coordinated 16 business support activities, including monthly merchant newsletters and resource-sharing efforts. The LDA continued partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders to address vacancy challenges through initiatives such as the Vibrant Laurel Initiative, while also advocating for improved safety, infrastructure, and economic development policies. These combined efforts advanced business retention, district revitalization, and long-term economic resilience within the Laurel commercial corridor.
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
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 December 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 January 2006.
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.