Passes our checks

First California Robotics

EIN 81-0920389 · San Diego, CA

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

What it says it does

To support education, access, growth and operation of programs across grades K-12 in California in areas of science and technology.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
4 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20
It owes 100% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
5 of 25
0 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a 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
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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$282,066 spent. Raised organization awareness through various digital marketing avenue reaching over 75,000 plus people. Facilitated outreach and demon- stration events to raise awareness and engagement of our programs to approximately 14500 people. This include coordination and logistics that facilitated high school level off-season robot competitions and maintaining and transporting 2 competition fields that supported nine (9) competitions. These competitions engaged 315 high school robotics teams and impacted 7875 students.
$188,173 spent. Provided direct support for California area teams, in grades K-8, participation in FIRST programs. Purchased team registrations, robot, and field kits, provided training and hosted events. These efforts resulted in 695 teams registered in a FIRST robotics program, which served 5000 plus students, who participated in 3 kickoff events, 38 regional competitions, 1 championship event, 4 offseason competitions and events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2018.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.