California Family Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The California Family Foundation provides educational programs and housing assistance for low-income families in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
- Income
- $4.5 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 88.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 37%
- Employees
- 46
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $161,497, beechwood school principal
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 88.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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)
- $3.7 million spent. Beechwood School is a year round, high quality elementary and middle school education program (Transitional Kindergarten to Eighth Grade) for lower-income, under-served children emphasizing small classes, hands-on learning, self-esteem building, excellent staff and parent participation. Children are taught a broad curriculum including all the basics plus computer skills, music, drama, art, Spanish, outdoor education, field trips, physical education and service learning. Students typically move on to private or charter high schools. The high school graduation rate of our students is 95% while much fewer students from the local elementary school district complete high school. We serve 170 students from over 130 families.
- $596,403 spent. Our Below-Market Rate Housing Program provides quality housing for low-income families in an effort to increase the educational opportunities for both children and adults. Program support encourages and advises families on increasing their job skills and learning skills for home ownership.
- $48,208 spent. Sky Mountain and Quickwater Ranches are located in Victor, ID and are used primarily for outdoor education programs for teenagers, families, couples and college students. The programs are run completely by volunteers and are offered at no cost to the participants. Expenses are for food, supplies, transportation, maintenance and utilities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.