La Causa Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES WITH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO NURTURE HEALTHY FAMILY LIFE AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY STABILITY.
- Income
- $16.1 million
- Spending
- $15.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 220
- Volunteers
- 85
- Highest pay
- $301,347, president/ceo
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
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 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)
- $1.5 million spent. CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT AND HELP - LA CAUSA EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE CENTER CARES FOR AND EDUCATES CHILDREN AGES 4 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE BY TRAINED TEACHERS, IN A BILINGUAL SETTING, AND OFFERS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. IT IS FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE FOR EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION AND HOLDS A FIVE-STAR RATING THROUGH WISCONSIN YOUNGSTAR. NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS, FLEXIBLE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
- $8.0 million spent. EDUCATION - THE MISSION OF LA CAUSA CHARTER SCHOOL IS TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE, FOUNDATIONAL, BILINGUAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN A SAFE AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT, WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO BE ENGAGED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THE K4-8TH GRADE ENGLISH AND SPANISH CURRICULUM FEATURES LANGUAGE ARTS, READING, COMPUTERS, SCIENCE, MUSIC, ART, ROBOTICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALISTS. NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS, PARENT EDUCATION, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
- $3.4 million spent. SOCIAL SERVICES - LA CAUSA'S SOCIAL SERVICES STAFF IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A VARIETY OF HIGH-QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACCOMPLISHING THEIR LIFE GOALS AND TO EMPOWER THEM IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. THE PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SERVICES OFFER A BILINGUAL, HOLISTIC APPROACH TOWARDS COUNSELING AND THERAPY AND INCLUDE: 1) TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: PLACES AND SERVES A DISTINCT SPECIALIZED GROUP OF FOSTER CHILDREN; 2) FOSTER HOME RECRUITMENT AND LICENSING PROGRAM: RECRUITS, LICENSES AND TRAINS FOSTER PARENTS FOR CHILDREN WITH TREATMENT AND DELINQUENCY ISSUES; 3) TREATMENT SERVICES PROGRAM: TREATS INDIVIDUALS, PARENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH AODA AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS; 4) RECOVERY SUPPORT COORDINATION: PROVIDES COORDINATION OF TREATMENT SERVICES AS WELL AS SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS, TRANSPORTATION, CHILD CARE, RENT, CLOTHING, ETC., FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH AODA NEEDS; 5) WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS: PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; 6) TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT: PROVIDES SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; 7) COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES: PROVIDES A TEAM APPROACH TO AN ARRAY OF RECOVERY, TREATMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES THAT ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN UTILIZING COMMUNITY AND NATURAL SUPPORTS TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS; 8) CCS YOUTH: A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES COPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE OR CO-OCCURRING NEEDS TOWARD IMPROVING HEALTH, WELLNESS AND THE PURSUIT OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS; 9) CORE PROGRAM: A VOUNTARY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOSIS. IT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT INCLUDE THERAPY, CARE COORDINATION, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT AND PEER SUPPORT.
- $563,777 spent. OTHER - THE CRISIS NURSERY & RESPITE CENTER: PROVIDES RESPITE/ CRISIS CARE IN A LICENSED CENTER WITH A HOME-STYLE SETTING. PARENTS MAY SHELTER THEIR CHILDREN AT THE CRISIS NURSERY AND RESPITE CENTER FOR UP TO 72 HOURS, ASSISTING THE PARENT TO ATTEND VITAL MEETINGS, APPOINTMENTS, GROUP SESSIONS, RE-ESTABLISH SUPPORT NETWORKS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, OR SIMPLY REST, REDUCING HIGH AND, AT TIMES, DANGEROUS STRESS LEVELS. STRIVING TO STRENGTHEN AND KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER, STAFF MEMBERS WORK WITH EACH FAMILY TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS, ASSESS THE FAMILY'S NEEDS AND MAKE REFERRALS TO OTHER PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES.
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 July 1979.
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.
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