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California Foundation for Commerce and Education

EIN 51-0159900 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION CARRIES OUT ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND POLICYMAKERS ON PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND A STRONG ECONOMIC BASE; IMPARTIAL AND OBJECTIVE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES; EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Income
$365,791
Spending
$533,690
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$1.0 million, director

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $350,360 spent. TECHNOLOGY POLICY RESEARCH: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF ANTITRUST LEGISLATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
  2. $111,250 spent. KAISER CAPITOL IMPACT: PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROMISE TO CAREER CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT LOS RIOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT, THE PREFERRED TALENT PROVIDER THAT SERVES THE HEALTH CARE CONSTRUCTION COLLABORATIVES PRIORITY POPULATIONS. THE SCHOLARSHIP HAS SUPPORTED MORE THAN 50 INDIVIDUALS SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
  3. $68,602 spent. DIGITAL JOURNALISM PROJECT: ANALYSIS OF THIS POLICY, ECONOMIC AND COMPETITIVENESS IMPLICATIONS OF PROPOSALS TO CONSTRAIN THE ABILITY OF TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS TO DISTRIBUTE OR LINK TO JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY NEWS MEDIA BASED IN CALIFORNIA.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 March 1976.

    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.

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.