California Urban Partnership
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The California Urban Partnership's (CUP) mission is to build economic security in communities of color through policy research, education and organizing community action. We advocate for systems changes that increase investments to improve the health and wealth of California's most marginalized people and places.
- Income
- $205,682
- Spending
- $166,009
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $82,000, president & ceo
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (3)
- $128,309 spent. The CUP served as a member organization in the California Jobs First, Sacramento Region planning phase and actively contributed to the High Roads Transition Collaborative by helping shape the regional Economic Plan focused on quality job creation, economic resilience, equity, and long-term sustainability. We participated in governance development, regional planning activities, stakeholder engagement, surveys, committee work, and strategic coordination with Valley Vision and Collaborative partners. CUP also supported key initiatives related to data and research, capacity building, community engagement, and sector-based economic strategies while identifying opportunities to align regional efforts with American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and other public and private funding resources. A major achievement included advancing equitable participation by ensuring under-resourced stakeholders had meaningful access to the planning process, influence over regional priorities, and pathways to benefit from future investments.
- The CUP served as a key member organization in the collaborative work of the Sacramento Racial Equity Alliance and community partners to advance the City of Sacramento's SCORE Work Plan through community engagement, policy advocacy, and accountability efforts. The CUP helped shape the City's racial equity resolution and produce community-informed recommendations for the SCORE framework. We facilitated public forums and listening sessions, and elevated priorities such as sustainable funding, transparency, equity, leadership development, and community wellness.
- Led the design and planning of the ARIZE Initiative an innovative economic development and digital infrastructure strategy focused on expanding opportunity in historically disinvested communities. A major achievement of this work was the creation of the BOSS Fellowship (Brilliant Operatives to Serve and Succeed), a youth leadership and workforce development model designed to prepare young people for careers in business services, digital marketing, research, entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, and emerging technology. Through ARIZE and BOSS, CUP developed a community-centered blueprint for connecting youth leadership, small business growth, and equitable regional economic development.
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 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 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 February 2012.
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.