One Community Action
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
One Community Action (OCA) is a culturally responsive organization dedicated to empowering youth and the broader community through holistic, community-driven initiatives. As a racial justice organization, OCA is committed to collective action, trauma reduction, and advancing equitable opportunities. Since its establishment in 2016, OCA has focused on developing community-centered solutions that address systemic inequities underlying violence and community trauma, with primary program areas in Community Building, Youth Development, and Advocacy.OCA emerged as a direct community response to a significant increase in violent deaths in 2015 and 2016, many of which involved local youth. In reaction, community membersincluding parents, teens, young adults, and residents of Santa Maria and Guadalupeconvened to discuss the root causes of this violence and to identify solutions informed by lived experience. These community dialogues highlighted a deep understanding of local culture, gang dynami
- Income
- $732,227
- Spending
- $924,604
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 12
- Highest pay
- $75,000, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (1)
- $904,657 spent. The organization received nine grants, along with various miscellaneous contributions, to support the implementation of program activities aligned with its exempt purpose. Program service accomplishments included initiatives designed to provide holistic support to students, with an emphasis on fostering academic achievement and personal development. In addition, the organization administered a Stop the Hate grant dedicated to assisting victims and survivors of hate crimes. Consistent with its mission, the organization also continued its efforts to educate the community and raise awareness regarding racial inequities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2019 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
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 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 November 2020.
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.