Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEARAC IS A NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS POWER WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITIES FROM CAMBODIA, LAOS, AND VIETNAM TO CREATE A SOCIALLY JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY. AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LARGEST REFUGEE COMMUNITY EVER RESETTLED IN THE UNITED STATES, SEARAC STANDS TOGETHER WITH OTHER REFUGEE COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS IN PURSUIT OF SOCIAL EQUITY.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 19.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 13
- Highest pay
- $232,753, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 74% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 September 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 (4)
- $530,681 spent. CALIFORNIA - SEARAC'S CALIFORNIA PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EQUITABLE HEALTH ACCESS, DATA EQUITY, SUPPORT TO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, AND ETHNIC STUDIES. WE ENGAGE AND EDUCATE COMMUNITIES AND EMPOWER LEADERS TO ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH LOCAL AND STATE POLICIES. THE PROGRAM INTEGRATES CONVENING, COALITION BUILDING, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION FOR LOCAL AND STATE ADVOCACY, AND POLICY ADVOCACY TO EDUCATE AND INFORM KEY AUDIENCES ON POLICIES THAT IMPACT SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.
- $329,955 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS - SEARAC'S GENERAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR WORK AROUND COMMUNICATIONS, STORYTELLING, AND TRAININGS THAT CENTER THE VOICES AND EXPERIENCES OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM INTEGRATES SOCIAL MEDIA, MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, AND STORY COLLECTION THROUGH OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS AND COALITION BUILDING WORK TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES OF OUR STUDENTS, ELDERS, AND LEADERS.
- $305,422 spent. HEALTH AND AGING - SEARAC'S HEALTH AND AGING PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND AGING. WE ENGAGE IN ADVOCACY, POLICY AND COALITION BUILDING EFFORTS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING LANGUAGE ACCESS AND CULTURALLY-RELEVANT SUPPORT IN HEALTH, INCREASING RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, UPLIFTING COMMUNITY-DEFINED BEST PRACTICES, AND ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HEALTH CARE. WE ALSO ADVOCATE FOR ELDERS TO HAVE FINANCIAL SECURITY AND CAREGIVING SUPPORT TO AGE WITH DIGNITY.
- $674,524 spent. EDUCATION, IMMIGRATION, LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY TRAINING (LAT), FIELD, LEAF.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 November 1979.
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.