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Capital & Main

EIN 81-0895767 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE THROUGH PRODUCING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND ANALYSIS ON ISSUES SUCH AS ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, ENVIRONMENT, RENEWABLE ENERGY, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING AND IMMIGRATION, AMONG OTHERS.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
14
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$222,615, publisher/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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (1)
  1. $2.7 million spent. CAPITAL & MAIN IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, WHOSE SPECIFIC PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE THROUGH PRODUCING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND ANALYSIS OF ISSUES SUCH AS ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING AND IMMIGRATION, AMONG OTHERS. CAPITAL & MAIN IS THE WINNER OF MORE THAN 200 JOURNALISM AWARDS INCLUDING THE ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR PRIZE FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM AWARDS AND SEVERAL BEST IN THE WEST AWARDS. ITS STORIES HAVE BEEN CO-PUBLISHED IN MORE THAN 200 MEDIA OUTLETS, FROM USA TODAY, FORTUNE, THE GUARDIAN AND FAST COMPANY TO THE AMERICAN PROSPECT, GRIST, PROPUBLICA AND THE LA TIMES. ALL REPORTING IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.

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 May 2018.

    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.