Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Equality California Institute

EIN 68-0438008 · Los Angeles, 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

TO CREATE A WORLD THAT IS HEALTHY, JUST AND FULLY EQUAL FOR ALL LGBTQ+ PEOPLE.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$313,441, executive director

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 26% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 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 (4)
  1. $1.3 million spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION: EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE CONDUCTS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS FOR LGBTQ+ PEOPLE AND OUR ALLIES, WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR LGBQ+ PEOPLE IN HEALTHCARE, SCHOOL, AND OTHER SETTINGS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CALIFORNIA'S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, WE CONDUCTED OUTREACH ON HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES FOR THE STATE, INCLUDING WATER CONSERVATION, SAFETY IN EXTREME HEAT, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS. OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TRAINING OFFERS HEALTHCARE AND HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TRAINING ON LGBTQ+ IDENTITIES AND BEST PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ CLIENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OUR TEAM IS WORKING TO DEVELOP AN ONLINE LGBTQ+ TRAINING FOR 7-12TH GRADE CERTIFICATED STAFF IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE PROVIDES LGBTQ+ PEOPLE WITH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES DESIGNED TO AID THEM IN PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES AND NATURAL DISASTERS. THE REAL IMPACT CAMPAIGN PROVIDES LGBTQ+ PEOPLE WITH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR REDUCING THE HARM OF OPIOID USE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR TGI NARRATIVE CHANGE PROJECT WORKS TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION ABOUT TRANSGENDER IDENTITIES, AND OUR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FOR TGI COMMUNITIES CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS TGI PEOPLE SEEKING ACCESS TO SEXUAL HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE CARE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING POWER WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY BY TRAINING INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN CIVIC LIFE. THROUGH THE COMCAST FELLOWSHIP, WE PLACE LGBTQ+ AND ALLIED COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SUMMER INTERNSHIPS WITH CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICES. THROUGH THE LGBTQ+ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, WE TRAIN LGBTQ+ LEADERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND TO SEEK APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. OUR CALIFORNIA LGBTQ+ LEADERSHIP SUMMIT GATHERS OPENLY LGBTQ+ ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE FOR NETWORKING AND TO DISCUSS PRIORITY ISSUES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. NOSOTROS VIHVIENDO PROGRAM BUILDS THE CAPACITY OF EMERGING LEADERS WORKING ON HIV STIGMA REDUCTION AND INTERVENTION IN LATINE COMMUNITIES.
  3. $1.1 million spent. EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE'S NEVADA-BASED DBA SILVER STATE EQUALITYINSTITUTE CONDUCTED COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INCREASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON CRITICAL ISSUES IMPACTING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. THIS INCLUDED CRITICAL ONGOING RESPONSE EFFORTS TO COVID-19, RAPID RESPONSE TO ADDRESS THE SPREAD OF MPOX, AND ONGOING WORK TO REDUCE THE STIGMA AROUND HIV. ADDITIONALLY,SILVER STATE EQUALITY'S NEVADA STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL CONVENEDSTUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO DISCUSS NEEDED PROTECTIONS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND THEIR ALLIES. MOREOVER, SILVER STATE EQUALITY INSTITUTE WORKED ON ITS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2024. BY MANAGING THE NEVADA EQUALITY COALITION THAT SUPPORTS PRO-EQUALITY BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. SILVER STATE EQUALITY INSTITUTE ALSO CONTINUED TO RUN AN LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN OUT OF HOME PLACEMENTS WORKGROUP CONSISTING OF ORGANIZATIONS PRIMARILY LOCATED IN NEVADA (WITH A FEW NATIONAL PARTNERS) TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE SETTINGS, AND YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
  4. $905,011 spent. EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE EQUIPS LGBTQ+ AND ALLIED STAKEHOLDERS WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO CONDUCT ADVOCACY AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, OUR STOP THE HATE PROJECT GATHERS LEADERS IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP IDEAS FOR ADDRESSING THE RISE IN HATE CRIMES AND HARASSMENT OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE, AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES. OUR OUT AGAINST BIG TOBACCO PROGRAM IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY ENSURE THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE AWARE OF PREDATORY ADVERTISING BY BIG TOBACCO IN LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES AND HAVE THE TOOLS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES TO CURB THAT INFLUENCE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. FAIR SHARE FOR EQUALITY CONVENES LGBTQ+ LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE EACH YEAR TO DISCUSS BUDGET PRIORITIES AND DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR STATE AND LOCAL BUDGET ADVOCACY IN SUPPORT OF LGBTQ+ RESOURCES. THE BIENNIAL SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS REPORT CARD PROVIDES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSPARENTLY SHARE THEIR POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR CREATING A SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE. ONCE THE RESULTS OF THE REPORT CARD ARE PUBLISHED, EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE STAFF TRAINS STUDENT, PARENT, AND EDUCATOR STAKEHOLDERS HOW TO USE THE REPORT CARD AS AN ADVOCACY TOOL FOR PROMOTING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND STAFF. EQUALITY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE ALSO CONDUCTS ONGOING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS, WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING HIGH VOTER TURNOUT AND EXCEPTIONAL LEVELS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FROM LGBTQ+ CALIFORNIANS.

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 March 2000.

    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.

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.