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Economic Alliance Foundation

EIN 46-4034010 · Santa Maria, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

EconAlliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, promotes industry understanding, entrepreneurship, and workforce development in Northern Santa Barbara County through strategic initiatives and partnerships.

Income
$262,929
Spending
$174,911
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3

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 35% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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. $35,000 spent. In September 2024, EconAlliance received a $50,000 grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation to manage a year-long internship program for 50 young adults. This program aimed to match interns with suitable worksites based on their interests and qualifications, thereby promoting the development of a highly-skilled workforce and enhancing worker opportunity. Through this initiative, EconAlliance successfully placed a dozen interns by the end of the year, with several securing employment at their internship locations, demonstrating the value of the internships to both the young adults and employers. This activity supports EconAlliance?s broader mission to support industry attraction, retention, and expansion, championing Northern Santa Barbara County communities and the key industry sectors that inspire regional economic vitality.
  2. $23,000 spent. In late 2023, EconAlliance secured funding to support the Santa Ynez Mission Indians (Chumash) in promoting wind energy opportunities at their tribal learning center. This initiative includes creating educational materials on wind energy and coordinating virtual learning sessions. Additionally, EconAlliance is collaborating with California Community College to develop a two-year associate degree program in Wind Energy and Tribal Archaeology, among other related fields. These efforts align with EconAlliance?s mission to foster industry understanding, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, ultimately enhancing the economic vitality of Northern Santa Barbara County through strategic educational initiatives
  3. $14,000 spent. CRA funds totaling \$32,500 supported expanded broadband needs assessments in underserved communities of New Cuyama, Los Alamos, and Orcutt, building on prior work in Guadalupe, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. In partnership with the Santa Ynez Chumash Tribe, EconAlliance oversaw a Last Mile Connectivity Analysis to evaluate the cost and sustainability of various broadband delivery models using GIS data and financial modeling. This work supports equitable broadband infrastructure planning and advances EconAlliance?s mission to promote economic development in disadvantaged areas.
  4. $4,567 spent. A $6,000 capacity-building grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation supported the development of a strategic plan focused on leadership transition planning, board orientation, and governance development. This initiative strengthened organizational sustainability and effectiveness, advancing EconAlliance?s exempt purpose of supporting long-term economic and community development through improved nonprofit leadership and capacity.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.