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Passes our checks

Paving Great Futures

EIN 46-3297281 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceWeak36 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PGF'S GOAL IS TO REHABILITATE MARGINALIZED AND AT-RISK COMMUNITIES BY FOSTERING THEIR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON SUPPORTING THE RECENTLY INCARCERATED

Income
$916,684
Spending
$809,826
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
6
Volunteers
73
Highest pay
$107,771, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 July 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)
  1. $492,881 spent. SINCE 2013, PGF HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS FROM LOW-INCOME, HIGH-CRIME COMMUNITIES IN SAN DIEGO. OUR PROGRAMS ARE STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIVIDUALS DEALING WITH OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS OF JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT OR THOSE AT RISK OF CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT, INCLUDING GANG ACTIVITY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INCARCERATION, HOMELESSNESS, AND VIOLENCE. SIX CORE COMPETENCIES OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY SIX CORE COMPETENCIES AIMED AT FOSTERING PERSONAL GROWTH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY: RESPONSIBLE LIFE SKILLS JOB READINESS FINANCIAL LITERACY ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CORE 6 PROGRAM THE CORE 6 PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE 10-WEEK TRAINING INITIATIVE COUPLED WITH ROBUST SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM CASE MANAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN ADDITION TO WRAPAROUND SERVICES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SUPPORT, ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES, AND PROVISION OF WORK ATTIRE AND TOOLS, BUSINESS START-UP EXPENSES, AND A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES. IMPACT: During the reporting period, 276 participants enrolled in the program, with a commendable 72% completion rate. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT) Our On-the-Job Training initiative employs a three-pronged approach to assess, educate, and prepare participants, equipping them to become self-regulated and self-sufficient individuals. Participants gain hands-on experience in key sectors such as food service, hospitality, administration, and business operations. IMPACT: Through partnerships with Nellys Kitchen Inc. and PGF Administrative Services, 51 participants engaged in OJT, achieving a 59% program completion rate. CORE 6 YOUTH The Core 6 Youth Program empowers young participants through tailored training, mentorship, community engagement, and leadership opportunities. Many youth participants also enrolled in the Elevate Youth Program, further amplifying their development. IMPACT: During the reporting period, 54 youth participants completed the program, achieving a 100% success rate. CORE 6 2.0 (MICROENTERPRISE) CORE 6 2.0 PROVIDES ADVANCED ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT, HELPING PARTICIPANTS ESTABLISH OR EXPAND THEIR BUSINESSES. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS ACCESS TO TECHNICAL RESOURCES, MENTORSHIP, AND WORKSHOPS IN AREAS SUCH AS DIGITAL LITERACY, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND BUSINESS PLANNING. -SERVICES PROVIDED: -ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP -TRAINING ON DEBT MANAGEMENT, BUDGETING, AND SAVINGS -WEBINARS ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY -IMPACT: DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, 21 PARTICIPANTS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED THEIR BUSINESSES, COMPLETING CRITICAL STEPS SUCH AS OBTAINING BUSINESS LICENSES AND IMPLEMENTING BUSINESS PLANS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 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 July 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 June 2021.

    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.

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