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Valley Can

EIN 37-1450235 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Valley CAN is committed to improving air quality in California's San Joaquin Valley. We promote voluntary actions to reduce air polution and sponsor pilot programs and educational efforts dedicated to providing solutions to high emissions sources.

Income
$11.7 million
Spending
$11.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
149
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$216,292, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 85% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $4.5 million spent. The Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program and the Clean Cars 4 All program successfully helps residents replace older, high-polluting vehicles with cleaner, more efficient ones, improving air quality and reducing emissions across the region. By guiding participants through every stepfrom identifying eligible vehicles, assisting with applications, and facilitating the purchase process to ensuring proper disposal of old carsthe program ensures a smooth and transparent experience. With strong partnerships among service providers, dealerships, and dismantlers, the program has accomplished measurable reductions in vehicle emissions while making cleaner transportation options more accessible and affordable for residents.
  2. $3.3 million spent. Valley CAN advances equitable clean transportation and electrification by designing and implementing programs that expand access, reduce emissions, and build workforce capacity in underserved communities. Its work includes leading a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle pilot using Toyota Mirai vehicles, providing zero-emission cars and prepaid hydrogen fuel to low-income residents to replace high-polluting vehicles, while demonstrating real-world emissions and cost benefits. Valley CAN also serves as a trusted community partner to utilities, supporting PG&Es Low Carbon Fuel Standard programs and Southern California Edisons Clean Energy Access and workforce initiatives through equity-focused outreach, incentive awareness, and stakeholder engagement. In partnership with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, Valley CAN has further delivered EV charging readiness and workforce development programs, training electricians, coordinating contractors, and creating scalable tools that remove infrastructure barriers, strengthen the clean energy workforce, and support long-term transportation electrification goals.
  3. $3.2 million spent. The Tune In & Tune Up program, administered by Valley Clean Air Now in partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Air District, has helped tens of thousands of Valley residents repair high-polluting vehicles, with an estimated 30,000 vehicles brought into emissions compliance through free testing and repair vouchers. The program has prioritized low-income and disadvantaged communities, with roughly 90%+ of participants from environmental justice areas, while delivering measurable reductions in smog-forming pollutants such as NOx, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Collectively, the program is recognized as a cost-effective and equity-driven air quality strategy, improving public health, increasing vehicle registration compliance, and reducing mobile-source emissions across the San Joaquin Valley. Building on its success in California, Valley CAN has expanded Tune In & Tune Upstyle vehicle repair and emissions-reduction efforts into Nevada, applying the same equity-focused, cost-effective model to reduce mobile-source emissions and improve public health in additional western communities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 November 6, 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 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 March 2003.

    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 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.