Empower and Excel
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER OF YOUTH. TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY EARLY IN LIFE BY VOLUNTEERING AND TEACHING.
- Income
- $642,042
- Spending
- $226,526
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 55.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $40,000, president
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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 55.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 65% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 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 (4)
- $93,654 spent. ASHAJYOTHI - YEAR-ROUND FOOD SPONSORSHIP TO HOMELESS DISABLED CHILDREN.
- $41,464 spent. THE HARVEST OF HOPE PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVE OF EMPOWER AND EXCEL DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY ADDRESSING THEIR EDUCATIONAL, BASIC LIVING, AND SEASONAL NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE BARRIERS FACED BY LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND THRIVE PERSONALLY. THROUGH THE HARVEST OF HOPE PROGRAM, CHILDREN RECEIVE ACCESS TO ENRICHING SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP PREVENT LEARNING LOSS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR. THESE RESOURCES HELP ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL BURDENS ON FAMILIES AND ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE CLASSROOM. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, HARVEST OF HOPE BRINGS JOY AND RELIEF TO FAMILIES FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP BY DISTRIBUTING GIFT CARDS, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. THIS SUPPORT ENABLES FAMILIES TO CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH DIGNITY WHILE MEETING THEIR MOST PRESSING NEEDS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER CRITICAL RESOURCES TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. BY ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND CONNECTING FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, HARVEST OF HOPE HELPS CREATE GREATER STABILITY AND WELL-BEING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.
- $23,426 spent. EDUCATIONAL STEAM PROJECTS - SUPPORTED COMMUNITIES IN NEED WITH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS. CONDUCTED WEEKLY STEAM ACTIVITIES WITH LUNCH.
- $31,943 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS : PROJECT HOMELESS, PROJECT GARDEING, ETC.
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 November 6, 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 April 2015.
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 November 4, 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.