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Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development

EIN 43-2092827 · Santa Ana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) is a community-based organization that brings together workers, families and community partners to organize and advocate for good jobs, strong neighborhoods and an inclusive democracy in Orange County.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
20
Volunteers
126
Highest pay
$104,579, co execdirector

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) is a community-based organization that builds leadership and collective power among working-class immigrant communities in Orange County. Through community organizing, leadership development, and policy research, OCCORD advances equitable systems change toward an inclusive economy, community-driven education, and a responsive democracy. Our programs capacitate residents and workers to engage in local decision-making, advocate for fair and affordable housing, and participate fully in civic life.OCCORD's Anaheim and Santa Ana programs develop leadership and build organizational structures to engage residents and stakeholders in nonpartisan political reform, affordable/fair housing initiatives, and economic development decisions that affect their lives. Through strategic, coalitional outreach, we train local and regional groups to work collaboratively. Through targeted neighborhood-based outreach, we train new leaders and build sustainable organizational infrastructure in low-income communities of color.In 2024, OCCORD continued to strengthen community leadership and civic participation across Anaheim and Santa Ana. Through our Neighborhood Unions, we deepened our advocacy for housing and economic justice, advancing inclusive policy efforts in collaboration with local and regional partners. OCCORD provided leadership development training and community education workshops that helped residents better understand their rights, organize around shared priorities, and take collective action to improve their neighborhoods.OCCORD's Citizenship Program provides naturalization assistance, civics classes, training, and leadership development, enabling immigrant workers and residents to become full participants in the democratic process. We work with local and regional organizations to provide these services to their members and constituents. In 2024, OCCORD continued its 1-on-1 client services to help individuals navigate the naturalization process and hosted its Citizenship Mega Fair. All of OCCORD's citizenship services were provided free of charge to participants. Additionally, OCCORD continued to offer citizenship preparation classes both virtually and in person. OCCORD completed more than 214 N400 applications.During the 2024 Elections, OCCORD continued to meet the moment through nonpartisan Get Out the Vote efforts. OCCORD focused on nonpartisan educational candidate forums, canvassing, and phone banking to ensure the civic participation of our community members. Through our outreach efforts, we successfully knocked on over 2,833 doors, called over 15,283 individuals, and texted over 36,942 community members.Across all programs, OCCORD remained committed to developing community leadership, advancing equity, and building the collective power needed to shape a more just and inclusive Orange County.

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

  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 2024.

    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 April 2007.

    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.