The Empowerment Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to build resilience in youth and families by bridging the gap between wellness and well-being through workforce development housing and mental health supports.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 79%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 62
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 68% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 7 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (6)
- $395,208 spent. The Empowerment Centers Workforce Development Program is grant-funded to train and deploy mental health focused Community Health Workers to build a resilient workforce for youth and families across the state of CA.
- $316,731 spent. The Empowerment Centers Shared Housing Program offers transitional housing for youth young adults and single mothers ages 18-25. The program includes life skills training mental health supports and workforce readiness in sober-living homes.
- $181,116 spent. The Empowerment Center TECs Resilient Workforce Career Readiness Program is an intensive training and wraparound supportive services workforce readiness program that assists opportunity youth in succeeding in California Registered Apprenticeship programs.
- $34,558 spent. Family Dynamics is a training program provided to youth and families within our communities that equips them to have mental spiritual physical and relational health. This program utilizes evidence-based training to develop practical life and relationship building skills that builds generational resilience.
- $6,000 spent. The Empowerment Centers Social and Emotional Learning Institute provides training and skill building opportunities for mental wellness online focused Day School Clinical Small Groups and Individual Trauma-Focused Therapy to youth ages 10-21.
- $99 spent. Our Youth Leadership Academy YLA is a comprehensive program aimed at fostering resilience in youth. YLA focuses on developing life skills and promoting positive lifestyle habits through six key areas: Financial Literacy Character Development Arts & Wellness Housing Strengths Discovery and Youth in Government.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.