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California Press Foundation

EIN 68-0313934 · Chino, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO GUARD THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM, TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CONTEMPORARY ACHIEVEMENTS, TO ASSURE THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT OF EDUCTION AND TO PROVIDE SOCIAL NETWORKING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

Income
$302,866
Spending
$186,552
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
72.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
1
Volunteers
17

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 72.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $126,879 spent. CONDUCTED VARIOUS NEWSPAPER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ARRANGING VISITS BY NEWSPAPER PEOPLE TO CAMPUS JOURNALISM CLASSES, REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY CIVIC EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND VARIOUS OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS TO AWARD AND RECOGNIZE JOURNALISTS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM.
  2. $18,364 spent. AWARDED EQUIPMENT GRANTS TO HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OFFERING JOURNALISM EDUCATION TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SUCH EDUCATION TO JOURNALISM STUDENTS.
  3. $15,000 spent. AWARDED INTERNSHIP GRANTS TO HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OFFERING JOURNALISM EDUCATION TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SUCH EDUCATION TO JOURNALISM STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1998.

    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.