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Community Matters

EIN 68-0369720 · Santa Rosa, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY MATTERS MISSION IS TO EQUIP AND EMPOWER STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO CREATE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SAFE, WELCOMING, AND INCLUSIVE.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
20
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$159,125, 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $597,629 spent. SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAMS: PEER-TO-PEER, BYSTANDER EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVEN EFFECTIVE AND SCIENTIFICALLY BASED (SAFE SCHOOL AMBASSADORS IS LISTED IN SAMHA'S NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES). THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE IMPLEMENTATION & ONGOING SUPPORT/MANAGEMENT OF SAFE SCHOOL AMBASSADORS(SSA) & SAFE SCHOOL BUDDIES (SSB) PROGRAMS, AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO ADDRESS AN EVER-GROWING AND EVOLVING NEED. AIMED AT THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE & BULLYING, IN ITS MANY FORMS, SSA ENGAGES & EMPOWERS STUDENTS, K-12, & REESTABLISHES SCHOOL AS A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
  2. $171,601 spent. SCHOOL CLIMATE INITIATIVES: ENGAGE KEY EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS (ADMINISTRATORS, STAFF, PARENTS, COMMUNITY, & YOUTH) IN SCHOOL CLIMATE IMPROVEMENTS INTENDED TO CREATE LONG-LASTING SYSTEMIC CHANGES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE WHOLE SCHOOL CLIMATE AUDITS, RESTORATIVE PRACTICE TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS & YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING, STAFF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING, PARENT WORKSHOPS, YOUTH SUMMITS, STUDENT ASSEMBLIES & OTHER YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAININGS, & PROGRAM CONSULTATION. KEY STRATEGIES OF THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT, PROGAM ASSESMENT & AUDITS, GROUP FACILLITATION, SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS, & STAKEHOLDER TRAINING.
  3. $1.0 million spent. GENERAL PROGRAMS: OTHER GENERAL SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES.

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 1996.

    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.