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California Dental Association Foundation

EIN 68-0411536 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE ORAL HEALTH OF ALL CALIFORNIANS BY SUPPORTING THE DENTAL PROFESSION AND ITS EFFORTS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
4
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$904,057, vice chair

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 371% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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 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. $3.0 million spent. CHARITABLE CARE PROGRAMS: THE CDA FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE FOR UNDERSERVED CALIFORNIANS. THE CDA FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHES THIS GOAL THROUGH INNOVATIVE ACCESS TO CARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT EXPAND PREVENTATIVE AND RESTORATIVE DENTAL CARE TO THE MOST VULNERABLE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION - YOUNG AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, WORKING POOR FAMILIES, AND THOSE FACING MULTIPLE, COMPLEX BARRIERS TO ACHIEVING CARE.
  2. $60,149 spent. STUDENT/MEMBER ASSISTANCE: THE CDA FOUNDATION PROVIDES STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AND FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS TO SUPPORT ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO SEEK TO PRACTICE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDE CARE TO CALIFORNIA'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS. THE CDA FOUNDATION RELIEF FUND PROVIDES A SAFETY NET OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TIMES OF DISASTER, CATASTROPHIC INJURY, OR PHYSICALLY DEBILITATING INJURY RESULTING IN THE PERSON NOT BEING SELF-SUSTAINING.
  3. $40,456 spent. EDUCATIONAL COURSE OFFERING AND RESOURCES: THE CDA FOUNDATION DEVELOPS AND DISSEMINATES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING EVIDENCE-BASED METHODS FOR REDUCING DENTAL DISEASE AND ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO DENTAL CARE FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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