Unite-La Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITE-LA's mission is to advance equitable, economic mobility and well-being through collaboration that strengthens systems, policies and high-quality education and career pathways. UNITE-LA works on behalf of local youth by providing programmatic support from cradle to career; in our systems change and strategic partnerships - brokering partnerships to granting equal access and achieving systemic change; and in issues, advocacy and expertise - advocating at the local, regional, state and federal levels to building equitable, institutional frameworks serving youth and families.
- Income
- $7.4 million
- Spending
- $7.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 68%
- Employees
- 56
- Volunteers
- 201
- Highest pay
- $207,042, president
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 27 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.5 million spent. For more than 25 years, UNITE-LA has led business education partnership programs to help develop a prepared, diverse, local talent pipeline. Working in collaboration with business partners, UNITE-LA leads and supports programs focused on exposing students to high-growth, high-demand STEAM career pathways. In 2024, UNITE-LA made significant strides in advancing equitable career and education pathways, serving 8,884 participants and delivering a total of 13,671 touchpoints across its flagship L.A. Cash for College and STEAM programs. From equipping students with essential financial aid resources to empowering opportunity youth and systems-impacted individuals to enter high-growth/demand fields, UNITE-LA continues to make a measurable impact on Los Angeles' rising workforce through its programs. We primarily serve vulnerable populations of low-income youth ages 16-24 through year-round programming. "Workforce Programs" includes L.A. Cash for College, WorkforceReady, Job Skills Workshops and Work-Readiness, Work Readiness Certifications, My Pathway to Health, Step into Tech, L.A. Regional Cleantech Career Academy, Tech Pathways Academy, South LA Scholars Plus (Health Care Career Pathway), and Partner Open Houses: L.A. Cash for College - L.A. Cash for College (LA-CFC) provides direct support, information and resources for financial aid to students and families across Los Angeles. This is done in collaboration with a wide network of nonprofits, college access providers, high school counselors and local higher education admissions staff. Programming is year-long, with financial aid workshops and events beginning in the fall and concluding in the spring. L.A. Cash for College also includes our scholarship awards program, Dollars for Scholars, which continued last year awarding L.A. Cash for College participants $30,000 in scholarships through the Dr. Alma Salazar and Gary Toebben Scholarship Funds. WorkforceReady - UNITE-LA utilizes an innovative, virtual program consisting of a six-week curriculum designed to help youth develop the essential, non-technical soft skills that will promote their success in the workplace. Job Skills Workshops and Work-Readiness - Our job skills and work readiness development programming include employer-validated Job Skills Workshops and self-paced Workforce Ready programs to prepare students for the real world of work and includes topics such as creating industry sector-specific resumes and cover letters, job interview preparation and success, effective professional/workplace communication, and etiquette, and how to articulate/market their interests, strengths, skills, abilities and experience. Work Readiness Certifications - Certifications follow participants' job skills and work-readiness preparation and include an employer-recognized WRC assessment to ensure students are prepared for early work experience through mock interviews with industry professionals. Employers validate student competencies demonstrated through their resume, interviewing/communication skills, and professional etiquette. Through this process, UNITE-LA cultivates students who are competitive job candidates and are deemed "work ready" for entry-level internships and jobs. My Pathway to Health - creates paid opportunities for young adults to succeed in allied health careers. Through career exploration, job readiness and training in a specified health pathway, future health care professionals develop real-world skills they need to succeed in high-demand, high-growth allied health care careers. Step into Tech - provides paid opportunities for system-involved individuals,18-35 years old, by connecting them to career pathways and jobs in technology through career education, training and exploration, job skills training, mentoring and peer-to-peer support. L.A. Regional Cleantech Career Academy - The Cleantech Academy is a 12-week paid, work-based learning program for future clean energy leaders ages 18 - 24 years old to engage in career awareness, education, exposure and job-readiness. The academy is focused on supporting participants with the development of real-world skills employers need and promotes access to high-growth, high-wage career pathways, internships and jobs in the green economy. Tech Pathways Academy - Through an 8.5 week after-school, virtual, work-based learning program focused on AI, Cybersecurity, Product Management and Software Development, high school students engage with tech professionals from diverse tech sectors to develop essential and technical skills and to learn about emerging career pathways in technology. This program is powered by Microsoft. South LA Scholars Plus (Health Care Career Pathway) - South LA Scholars Plus (SLAS+) supports underrepresented individuals (ages 16+) in pursuing careers in health fields such as allied health care, mental health, biotech and professional pathways in health care. The programming includes work-based learning opportunities focused on career panels, presentations by health care professionals, career fairs, work site visits and paid work experience. Partner Open Houses - Through our Partner Open House programs, we engage and convene more than 50 local community-based organizations quarterly to facilitate opportunities for collaboration, including sharing resources, supportive services and recruiting talent from disinvested communities to enroll in our mutual programs.
- $2.1 million spent. UNITE-LA works to transform and align public systems to achieve education and workforce equity in the L.A. region. "Systems Changes" includes L.A. Compact, K-16 Collaborative, LA-DEAL, and more: L.A. Compact - Since 2008, UNITE-LA has convened the L.A. Compact, a bold commitment to close the education and workforce gaps caused by systemic inequities and racism. The L.A. Compact brings together the region's most prominent leaders to collectively lead transformative change with UNITE-LA in the unique role of intermediary to build consensus among diverse stakeholders. K-16 Collaborative - The L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative is a collective effort to close racial and gender attainment gaps in postsecondary education and employment in L.A. County, starting with a focus on streamlined pathways to health care, engineering and computer science careers. Following a state grant award last August to launch the Collaborative, UNITE-LA is working with West Ed and a stewardship group of cross-sector partners to guide a sub-grant award process that is allocating $13.9 million across five sub-regions of L.A. County. These regional partnerships will coalesce K-12, higher ed, workforce and community partners around a shared plan to accelerate degree attainment in high-growth fields for students of color. LA-DEAL - The Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) designated Regional Broadband Consortium for L.A. County, is committed to eliminating the digital divide by addressing the related challenges. LA DEAL is a collaborative, community-driven consortium working to assess and tackle broadband gaps that exist in communities across L.A. County. In 2024, LA DEAL launched Community Broadband Los Angeles (CBLA) to close gaps in internet access, increase internet affordability and combat digital redlining by advancing community-owned broadband infrastructure projects. Some other areas where UNITE-LA's Systems Team engaged cross-sector, cross-segmental partners in L.A. County included: Partnering with the City of Los Angeles' Economic Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Los Angeles Opportunity Youth Collaborative (OYC), co-convened by UNITE-LA and the Alliance for Children's Rights, for The Horizons 32K Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to Empowerment for Los Angeles' Opportunity Youth. This collective impact plan aims to reduce the number of OY in Los Angeles by 32,000 over four years. Playing a key role in shaping and advancing the Governor's Master Plan for Career Education. UNITE-LA co-hosted the L.A./O.C. Regional Convening with the Governor's Office and WestEd, where more than 100 leaders identified barriers to career pathways and explored solutions in areas such as access, affordability and work-based learning. Convening workforce development practitioners and leaders across California's workforce ecosystem to identify gaps and challenges in supporting individuals' access to family-sustaining careers to develop Empowering California's Workforce: Strategic Recommendations for Systemic Improvement. This was possible with support from Michelson 20 MM Foundation. Continuing improvement and innovation through LAUSD's Community Schools Initiative. UNITE-LA serves as co-convener and project manager for the Community Schools Steering Committee.
- $827,794 spent. UNITE-LA works closely with key stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels to champion policies and investments that promote equitable economic mobility for our region's diverse talent. By leveraging innovative, cradle-through-career strategies and fostering strong partnerships with the business community, UNITE-LA's collaborative policy efforts stand out as impactful and transformative. "Policy" includes Education Means Business and Strengthening and Advancing Equity through Business Engagement: Education Means Business - Policy's "Education Means Business" webinar series provides diverse stakeholders in the region, including the business community, with the opportunity to connect with and hear from content experts, elected officials and community leaders on the latest policy topics impacting education and workforce development areas. Strengthening and Advancing Equity through Business Engagement - In 2024, UNITE-LA expanded its business partnerships network by more than 20 percent, boasting more than 40 organizations and ethnic/affinity chambers of commerce focused on cradle-through-career education and workforce development. UNITE-LA also participated in advocacy trips to Washington, D.C. and Sacramento alongside leading business associations to raise the profile of the organization's advocacy priorities.
- Strategic Partnership with ACCE: UNITE-LA continues to leverage its expertise and capacity in education and workforce development through a 13-year partnership with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation. ACCE is a professional association for executives working at 1,600 chambers of commerce across the country, which represents about 1.2 million organizations that employ approximately 70 million people, with UNITE-LA's capacity and expertise in strengthening cradle-to-career education and workforce development systems, policies and programs. Educare: Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach, of which UNITE-LA is an Advisory Board Member, was formed through a public-private partnership among organizations committed to ensuring all children receive high-quality care and education from the moment they are born to the day they enter kindergarten. Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach works to increase access to high-quality early learning across southern California. The school is a hub for modeling how early learning programs can provide quality early childhood education, partner with families, and advocate for education practice and policy.
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
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 February 2003.
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 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.