Oakland & the World Enterprises Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND MISSION OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS TO ASSIST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, HOME OWNERSHIP AND FULL EMPLOYMENT RESPECTIVELY.THE MISSION OF OAKLAND & THE WORLD ENTERPRISES (OAW), A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS TO LAUNCH FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES FOR OWNERSHIP BY FORMALLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND OTHER PEOPLE FACING EXTREME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC SURVIVAL. HAVING LAUNCHED OUR FIRST BUSINESS, WEST OAKLAND FARMS, ON OUR PROPERTY AT SEVENTH AND CAMPBELL STREETS IN WEST OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, WE ARE CURRENTLY POSITIONED TO DEVELOP A COMPLEX THERE FOR OUR OTHER BUSINESSES AND APPROXIMATELY 80, 100% AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS. IN ADDITION TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WILL USE THE COMMERCIAL SPACE IN THE COMPLEX, WE WILL LAUNCH OTHER, SERVICE BUSINESSES FOR THE HOUSING COMPLEX, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND SHUTTLE SERVICES. WHILE IT IS OUR GOAL TO LAUNCH A THOUSAND BUSINESSES, WE BELIEVE WE ARE CREATING A MODEL FOR OAKLAND AND, IN
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 46%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
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. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
0 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)
- $1.2 million spent. THE MISSION OF OAKLAND & THE WORLD ENTERPRISES (OAW), A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS TO LAUNCH FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES FOR OWNERSHIP BY FORMALLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND OTHER PEOPLE FACING EXTREME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC SURVIVAL. HAVING LAUNCHED OUR FIRST BUSINESS, WEST OAKLAND FARMS, ON OUR PROPERTY AT SEVENTH AND CAMPBELL STREETS IN WEST OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, WE ARE CURRENTLY POSITIONED TO DEVELOP A COMPLEX THERE FOR OUR OTHER BUSINESSES AND APPROXIMATELY 80, 100% AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS. IN ADDITION TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WILL USE THE COMMERCIAL SPACE IN THE COMPLEX, WE WILL LAUNCH OTHER, SERVICE BUSINESSES FOR THE HOUSING COMPLEX, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE, SECURITY AND SHUTTLE SERVICES. WHILE IT IS OUR GOAL TO LAUNCH A THOUSAND BUSINESSES, WE BELIEVE WE ARE CREATING A MODEL FOR OAKLAND AND, INDEED, THE WORLD TO CONSIDER TOWARD ALLEVIATING POVERTY, REDUCING CRIME AND CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR PROSPERITY FOR EVERYONE.
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 July 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.