Sunnyvale Sister City Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SSCA promotes immersive cross-cultural exchanges for residents of all ages in Sunnyvale and Iizuka, Japan through virtual and in-person engagements. These exchanges build community, broaden minds, broaden relationships, and broaden horizons, creating diverse ties between our cities for a better future together.
- Income
- $253,210
- Spending
- $230,624
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 95%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 40
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
Good: 75 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 52 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $215,363 spent. 1. Iizuka-to-Sunnyvale (I2S) Student Exchange Program Since 2014, the organization has partnered with the Iizuka Friendship Network and Iizuka City to promote international cultural exchange between Sunnyvale and Iizuka students. Each March, SSCA hosts middle and high school students from Iizuka for homestays with local families in Sunnyvale, allowing participants to experience daily American life, attend school activities, and participate in cultural and educational programs. To date, the program has connected more than 300 students from both communities and continues to strengthen cross-cultural understanding and sister-city relations. 2. Sunnyvale-to-Iizuka (S2I) Student Exchange Program Each June, SSCA sends Sunnyvale students to Iizuka, Japan, for a homestay and cultural immersion experience. Participants stay with local host families, attend school and community events, and engage in activities highlighting Japanese history, culture, and daily life. The program provides Sunnyvale youth with a meaningful international experience that fosters global awareness, independence, and long-term relationships with partner families in Iizuka. SSCA coordinates travel, orientation, supervision, and cultural activities in collaboration with its sister-city partners. 3. Sunnyvale-to-Japan Adult and Family Cultural Tour SSCA administers an annual adult and family cultural tour to Japan, typically a two-week program beginning in Tokyo and concluding with a three-day stay in the sister city of Iizuka. Participants experience traditional and modern Japanese culture through activities such as hot spring visits, sake brewery tours, World Heritage sites, scenic gardens, and stays at traditional inns (ryokans). The program includes roundtrip airfare from San Francisco, domestic travel in Japan, guided English-language tours, and an optional homestay with Iizuka community members. This program strengthens international friendships and promotes cultural understanding for adults and families.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.