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Caramel Connections

EIN 81-2093516 · Rch Cucamonga, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CARAMEL CONNECTIONS FOUNDATIONS MISSION IS TO COME ALONGSIDE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAS MOST UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO HELP OUR CHILDREN KNOW THAT THEIR HEALTH MATTERS. CCF IS TACKLING CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND HEART DISEASE.

Income
$24,584
Spending
$16,136
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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.

  • 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, 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. $14,130 spent. In 2020, the City of Ontario Community Life and Culture Agency (CL&C) entered into an agreement with Caramel Connections Foundation (CCF) to create more space for gardening and healthy living programs. CCF is solely responsible for the garden project operation and maintenance costs during the term of the land use agreement. CCF immediately began building the infrastructure for the Seeds of Joy and successfully opened the garden in the spring of 2021.
  2. $1,300 spent. Caramel Connections Foundation is advancing equity in the Inland Empire, the Seeds of Joy project is a volunteer based community-led project that is committed to food sovereignty. Our goal is to reduce food insecurity, improve health and diets, increase physical activity, and improve the overall quality of life through community building in marginalized and under-resourced neighborhoods, targeting youth and adult members of the adjacent low- income apartment communities.
  3. $706 spent. Though the Covid19 pandemic flipped the world upside down, CCF never wavered from our commitment to helping Southern Californians access the nutritious food and low to no-calorie Balance Calorie Initiative beverages they deserve. When families gain access to healthy food and wellness education, we believe they can become empowered to harvest their own nutritional foods, improve their health and take back control of their future.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.