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Oakland Promise

EIN 54-2103707 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood87 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR VISION: A THRIVING OAKLAND COMMUNITY WITHOUT BARRIERS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.OUR MISSION: ENGAGING THE OAKLAND COMMUNITY TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH CRADLE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENT.

Income
$17.8 million
Spending
$17.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
50.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
63
Volunteers
280
Highest pay
$381,970, ceo

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: 87 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $14.6 million spent. OAKLAND PROMISE SUPPORTS YOUNG LEARNERS (FROM NEWBORNS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS) AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO RESIDE IN OAKLAND. OAKLAND PROMISE OFFERS EVERY CHILD FINANCIAL RESOURCES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, MENTORSHIP, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES THRIVE IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE CAREER OF THEIR CHOOSING. OUR MISSION IS TO ENGAGE THE OAKLAND COMMUNITY TO ADVANCE EQUITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH CRADLE-TO-COLLEGE-AND-CAREER ACHIEVEMENT. OAKLAND PROMISE LEADS KEY PROGRAMMING INCLUDING, EARLY LEARNING (BRILLIANT BABY), K12 SERVICES, COLLEGE & CAREER WORK, EAST OAKLAND PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE AND NOW WEALTH BUILDS OAKLAND; TOGETHER, THEY ARE DESIGNED TO REMOVE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS AND FOSTER INTERGENERATIONAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 November 2003.

    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.