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California Public Interest Research Education Fund Inc

EIN 77-0566513 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE CORPORATION'S ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE PUBLIC EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND LITIGATION ON ISSUES AFFECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

Income
$292,406
Spending
$94,684
Spent on programs
38%
Reserves
37.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
2
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$17,920, state director

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 37.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    38% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 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 (2)
  1. $25,046 spent. RESEARCHING AND INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY: STAFF ENGAGE IN NON-LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND LEGAL AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: ENSURING THE RIGHT TO REPAIR, TACKLING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC POLLUTION, AND PROTECTING CALIFORNIANS FROM TOXICS.
  2. $10,734 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS, DISTRIBUTING EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE, CONDUCTING SURVEYS, AND DISCUSSING ISSUES WITH THE PUBLIC REACHING THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS EACH YEAR ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: ENSURING THE RIGHT TO REPAIR, TACKLING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC POLLUTION, AND PROTECTING CALIFORNIANS FROM TOXINS.

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

  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 August 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 June 2001.

    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.