California Association of Private Special Education Schools
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% 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
CAPSES IS A STATEWIDE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT SPECIALIZES IN THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS
- Income
- $341,772
- Spending
- $354,592
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- 15.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 1
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
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 June 30, 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 (2)
- $92,192 spent. ADVOCACY - CAPSES STRENGTHENED ITS ROLE IN ADVOCACY AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATED IN FEDERAL ADVOCACY DAY IN WASHINGTON D.C. ALONGSIDE NAPSEC PARTNERS TO ADVANCE FEDERAL POLICY PRIORITIES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. AT THE STATE LEVEL, CAPSES ENGAGED IN FAIR FUNDING ADVOCACY EFFORTS, INCLUDING URGING THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REINSTATE AND PROTECT WORKABILITY I GRANTS, ADVOCATING WITH LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FAIR PAY FOR FIRE-CLOSURE DAYS, AND REQUESTING GREATER CLARITY AND ALIGNMENT OF NONPUBLIC AGENCY REVIEWS. KEY LEGISLATIVE ENGAGMENT INCLUDED MEETINGS REGARDING SENATE BILL 373 AND OTHER LEGISLATION WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION COMMUNITY.
- $70,222 spent. EDUCATION - OVER 70 REGIONAL MEETINGS WERE CONVENED ACROSS THE STATE, LED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TO ADDRESS LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND SHARE EMERGING BEST PRACTICES. CAPSES HOSTED 4 STATEWIDE VIRTUAL WEBINARS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOPICS INCLUDING STRESS DE-ESCALATION, TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, AND STAFF WELLNESS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND STEWARDSHIP MEETINGS WITH MORE THAN 50 INDIVIDUAL MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS, OFFERING GUIDANCE ON COMPLIANCE, OPERATIONS, AND WORKFORCE SUPPORT. THE ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE AND LEGISLATIVE DAY WAS HELD IN SACRAMENTO, DRAWING OVER 60 ATTENDEES FROM ACROSS CALIFORNIAS NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL AND AGENCY SECTOR FOR TRAINING AND ADVOCACY COORDINATION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 July 1976.
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 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.