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California Transportation Foundation

EIN 68-0165257 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

At California Transportation Foundation (CTF) our mission is simple. We recognize the best and brightest in our industry with our Annual CTF Transportation Awards program. We remember those who have given all in service to the people of California, providing funding to workers and their families in their time of need. And we educate the future of our profession through scholarships, educational programs, mentoring, and internships.

Income
$580,570
Spending
$716,309
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
24

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: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $436,948 spent. CTF hosts several signature events throughout the year aimed at recognizing excellence in the California Transportation Industry, as well as educational events for students entering the transportation profession and transportation professionals. Specifically CTF hosts the Transportation Forum that features leading-edge transportation topics and leaders from across California. The CTF Transportation Awards Gala honors the accomplishments of the Person, Elected Official, Organization and Project of the Year along with 18 other award recipients in various transportation-related categories. Lastly, CTF hosts the two-day Education Symposium that pairs college students studying a variety of transportation-related fields and seasoned professionals in a mentoring program that has been successful over three decades in creating a pipeline for new students entering the transportation industry.
  2. $107,244 spent. CTF administers 47 different scholarships for California students interested in studying a transportation-related field. CTF scholarships support students from high school through graduate level studies in a variety of disciplines. CTF scholarship partners determine the criteria for their respective scholarship awards, and CTF provides resources to assist with scholarship publicity, evaluation, and fundraising, and CTF disburses scholarship awards to students.
  3. $46,370 spent. CTF supports families of transportation workers who are injured or killed on the job with fallen worker grants, and assistance and memorial funds. Additionally CTF provides emergency relief grants to families of transportation workers who lose a home due to a natural disaster such as a fire, flood, or earthquake. These grants and assistance funds are essential to families who are experiencing a crisis, as benefits often take some time to reach the family in need, and CTF is able to act quickly to provide financial support when they may otherwise be unable to access needed funds.

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 April 1993.

    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.