Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Acknowledge Alliance

EIN 77-0393676 · Mountain View, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACKNOWLEDGE ALLIANCE IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING LIFELONG RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AND STRENGTHENING THE CARING CAPACITY OF THE ADULTS WHO INFLUENCE THEIR LIVES.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 76%
Employees
31
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$154,440, executive dir.

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

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $927,334 spent. THE RESILIENCE CONSULTATION PROGRAM, SERVING K-8 SCHOOLS, PROVIDES A UNIQUE APPROACH TO HEALTHIER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS, IMPROVING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) COMPETENCIES AND REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR SCHOOL LEADERS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS. THE WORK WE DO WITH THIS POPULATION INCLUDES TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL SUPPORT THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE COACHING, TRAININGS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS; 3RD - 8TH GRADE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) LESSONS; AND STUDENT COUNSELING. MANY OF THE SCHOOLS WE SERVE ARE UNDERPERFORMING WITH A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS ON THE FREE OR REDUCED MEAL PLAN. STUDENTS MAY BE FACING ADVERSITIES SUCH AS EXPERIENCING EARLY CHILDHOOD TRAUMA INCLUDING DEVELOPING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, LIVING IN HOME ENVIRONMENTS WITH STRESS AND ANXIETY, AND EXPERIENCING POVERTY, HUNGER, AND STRESS THAT EACH INHIBITS A POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE.ACKNOWLEDGE RESILIENCE PROGRAM STAFF, COMPRISED OF A TEAM OF MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS, MEET WITH TEACHERS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND PRINCIPALS TO OFFER SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENT WAYS TO MAKE SCHOOL A HEALTHY, POSITIVE PLACE. OUR DIRECT WORK WITH EDUCATORS HELPS THEM DISCOVER THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS IN THE PROFESSION AND PROVIDES THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS IN AN EMPATHIC, EFFECTIVE, AND STRENGTH-BASED WAY. 95% OF THE TEACHERS WE SERVE ARE EXPRESSING POSITIVE CHANGE: "ACKNOWLEDGE STAFF HELP US WORK THROUGH OBSTACLES & CHALLENGES THEY MAY BE FACING REGARDING EVERY ASPECT OF STAFF-STUDENT RELATIONSHIP."SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) IS THE FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT NEEDED TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS FOR LIFELONG EFFECTIVENESS. IN EDUCATION, SEL CREATES A SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS ARE RESPECTED, CARED FOR, AND CONNECTED. THE RESILIENCE PROGRAM INCLUDES SEL CURRICULUM FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE EMOTIONS, MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS, ESTABLISH MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, AND ACHIEVE GOALS. OUR STAFF FACILITATES THESE LESSONS TO THE ENTIRE CLASSROOM, INCLUDING THE TEACHER, TO MAKE IT A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORT THE EDUCATORS' SEL SKILLS. RESEARCH LINKS SEL TO IMPROVED ATTITUDES ABOUT SCHOOL, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND REDUCTIONS IN AGGRESSION, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND SUBSTANCE USE.TEACHERS, NEXT TO FAMILY, SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH YOUTH AND CAN HAVE AN INCREDIBLE INFLUENCE ON THEIR LIVES. ACKNOWLEDGE ALLIANCE HELPS MAKE THIS HAPPEN, CHANGING LIVES IN A POSITIVE WAY. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 20 SCHOOLS IN SAN MATEO AND SANTA CLARA COUNTIES, IMPACTING 412 TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, AND ADMINISTRATORS, AND OVER 10,000 STUDENTS.
  2. $167,455 spent. THE COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK AND UNDERSERVED MULTI-CULTURAL YOUTH AT BEECHWOOD SCHOOL IN SAN MATEO COUNTY SERVES STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX TRAUMA, FACING SIGNIFICANT LIFE ADVERSITIES - VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, POVERTY, RACISM, AND UNDIAGNOSED LEARNING AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. OUR LICENSED MFT PROVIDES ON-SITE (AND TELEHEALTH) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. OUR UNIQUE LONG TERM THERAPY MODEL IS STRENGTHS AND RELATIONSHIP-BASED AND PROMOTES SELF-REFLECTION AND INTERNAL CHANGE THAT LEADS TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES. WE BELIEVE IN THESE YOUTH, AND THEIR ABILITIES TO GROW AND THRIVE. WE HOLD HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THEM SO THEY, IN TURN, WILL BELIEVE IN THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCEED. THROUGH CULTURALLY SENSITIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES, WE FOSTER PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS NECESSARY FOR YOUTH TO SAFELY PROCESS TRAUMA AND ONGOING ADVERSITIES AND BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR LIVES.THE YOUTH WHO RECEIVE OUR COUNSELING SERVICES GAIN INSIGHT INTO HOW THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES DRIVE THEIR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND BEHAVIORS; LEARN TO REGULATE THEIR RESPONSES TO EMOTIONAL STIMULI; BECOME MORE EMPOWERED TO SPEAK UP AND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES APPROPRIATELY; DEVELOP INCREASED TRUST AND THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIPS; IMPROVE THEIR SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT; FIND COMPASSION FOR THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER; AND EXPERIENCE RENEWED HOPE AND A GLIMPSE OF A FUTURE WITH NEW POSSIBILITIES. WITH OUR SUPPORT AND SERVICES.
  3. $97,759 spent. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM INCREASES AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR WORK AND ITS CONNECTION TO THE MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM DISSEMINATES COMMUNICATIONS FOCUSED ON THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT RESILIENCE, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND LONG-TERM THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS PLAY IN THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH AND EDUCATORS. SERVICES INCLUDE PRESENTATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH YOUTH, COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND LEVERAGING OUR EXPERTISE TO ENHANCE YOUTH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS ELEVATING AND ADVOCATING ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 1995.

    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.