Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Kizuna Little Tokyo Inc

EIN 81-4218837 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 62 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

KIZUNA'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION.

Income
$469,415
Spending
$509,147
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
41
Volunteers
115

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: 69 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 62 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

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (4)
  1. $24,419 spent. LEADERSHIPKIZUNA'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS A 8-WEEK, AFTERSCHOOL OR SATURDAY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BUILD WELL-ROUNDED STUDENTS AND ENHANCE THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS. OUR UNIQUE APPROACH TEACHES VALUABLE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS AS WELL AS AN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR TEACHING MODEL CENTERS AROUND CONCEPTS OF IDENTITY, INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNITY. NETWORKING, RELATIONSHIPS AND STRONG SENSE OF SELF-IDENTITY HELP OUR STUDENTS TO RISE ABOVE THE REST. KIZUNA'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS OUR PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WE PROMISE TO CREATE A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT WILL HELP TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION. OVER THE LAST DECADE, OUR PROGRAM HAS BECOME THE LARGEST JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
  2. $109,809 spent. INTERNSHIPKIZUNA OFFERS A SUMMER INTERNSHIP SERIES FOR COLLEGE AGED STUDENTS. OUR PAID, 8-WEEK, FULL-TIME INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED TO HELP INTERNS MAKE A MARK IN THE COMMUNITY. PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH KIZUNA, OR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH THE JAPANESE COMMUNITY YOUTH COUNCIL (JCYC) AND JAPANTOWN COMMUNITY CONGRESS OF SAN JOSE (JCCSJ). DURING THE PROGRAM, INTERNS WILL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT IMPACTFUL PROJECTS, MEET COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND BUILD A LEGACY TO HELP SHAPE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.
  3. $186,252 spent. SUMMER CAMPKIZUNA'S SUMMER CAMP IS A LOCAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 2ND THROUGH 8TH GRADE, CENTERED ON BUILDING A FOUNDATION OF JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURE & HERITAGE. SUMMER CAMP IS A FUN AND EXCITING WAY FOR KIDS TO LEARN, CONNECT WITH OTHER YOUTH, AND SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED IN THE LEADERSHIP. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CREATING A PROGRAM THAT OUR CAMPERS WILL REMEMBER. EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: MOCHITSUKI, JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY, FAMILY ORAL HISTORIES, JAPANESE AMERICAN VALUES, HISTORICALLY THEMED ESCAPE ROOMS, TRIVIA, SHIBORI, AND FIELD TRIPS TO MUSEUMS.
  4. $5,489 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE BOARD FELLOWSHIP, SEASONAL EVENTS, ANIME EXPO WORKSHOPS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 March 2017.

    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 October 21, 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.