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Coffee With a Cause

EIN 77-0399522 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceWeak35 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Coffee With A Cause is to help transitional age youth (ages 16- 24) who have experienced foster care, homelessness and justice system-involvement in finding a pathway to sustainable employment and long-term careers. During our 15-month internship program, interns receive soft skills training as well as hands-on experience in various trades through partnerships with local businesses, such as coffee shops, retail outlets, or landscaping firms. Upon completion of the three-month internship, participants are matched with a volunteer mentor who works with them for 12 months to secure and maintain meaningful employment as the youths navigate towards independence.100% of the profits from Rosebud Coffee, which is wholly owned by Coffee With a Cause, going to funding the youth intern and mentorship program. In addition, an internship at Rosebud coffee provides training and job skills that can lead to a Barista Certification from the Specialty Coffee Association and the opportunit

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$987,050
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
29
Highest pay
$56,629, executive dir.

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $697,996 spent. Rosebud Coffee is fully owned by Coffee With A Cause and serves as an on-site internship location for job-readiness training, specifically for Transitional Age Youth (ages 1624) who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or justice system involvement. The program helps young people find pathways to sustainable employment and long-term careers. In 2024, we served 35 youth paid internships at Rosebud Coffee and our partnering sites, gaining hands-on experience and preparation for meaningful employment upon graduation. We achieved a 90% success of our interns securing employment or full-time college enrollment. This year, we welcomed 20 new volunteers to the program and expanded internship opportunities to 10 local businesses throughout the community as well as added three professional certificationsin coffee, IT, and personal traininggiving our youth a competitive edge in their job search.
  2. $224,825 spent. TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUTH AND ADULTS BY TEACHING THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ANDSERVICE COMPETENCIES THROUGH CLASSROOM TRAINING, HANDS-ON JOB TRAINING, ANDEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE INDUSTRY THAT ARESUPPORTED BY LOCAL, HOSPITABLE COMMUNITIES.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.

    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 January 2022.

    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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