Tola Organizing Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Train individuals and organizations in the fundamental skills of community organizing and civic engagement
- Income
- $155,370
- Spending
- $310,634
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $260,460 spent. 2024 Programs Spring 2024 The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA), in collaboration with Communities for a New California (CNC) created a two month pilot program in the 41st Congressional district. The objectives of this effort which was completely funded by TOLA was to: a. recruit and train 6-8 organizers, b. recruit and train local community volunteers, c. increase turnout among less likely Latino or young voters TOLA interns, were selected because of their interest in learning campaign basics. The basics included: PDI instruction, self-motivation, recruitment of volunteers, specifics of mail balloting, importance of reporting, creating urgency, managing staff and personal visits. Our primary target was 61,961 Latinos who did not vote in November 2022.Our approach was two pronged. First, our bi-lingual phone bank (CNC) called voters in our target who have phones (this process helped clean up our list and identified people who have moved or were not interested). Each person talked to was asked what issues they were interested in, whether they planned to vote, and whether they would be interested in helping others get out to vote. Phoners/organizers were instructed to engage as best they could as we emphasized quality calls as opposed to quantity. Each night the script was improved/adjusted and modifications made.In less than a month we had conversations with over 6,000 less likely voters who indicated what issues were important to them (healthcare 11.6%, housing 22.9%, jobs 11.7, inflation 32.6, other 21%). 1,002 of these less likely voters indicated a willingness to volunteer.Each day the people who indicated willingness to volunteer were followed up by TOLA fellows either in person or on the phone. Of the 1,002 who agreed on the phone to volunteer, 312 actually volunteered, voters.Our efforts increased Latino turnout by 5%.Summer 2024 TOLA, in collaboration with the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs piloted a summer/fall program for high school students. In July 2024 a select group of 15 high school students from various high schools in San Diego were selected for an intensive internship learning the basics of community organizing. The project goal was to demonstrate the power and influence young people can have on elections and community improvement initiatives. The project had three distinct phases.Phase 1TOLA and Cesar Chavez Service Clubs interns spent three weeks attending seminars to become more knowledgeable about the different aspects that go into electoral non-partisan campaigns from polling to community outreach, while also learning the basics of community organizing. Interns also gained experience engaging voters through door-to-door work and phone banking.Phase 2During the fall school Interns developed their own outreach campaign demonstrating the power young voters can have electorally. During this phase interns of applied the organizing skills they learned to bring their projects to life. Each project reflects the interest of the intern and ties into a different aspect of a campaign.Phase 3During phase 3 of the project interns with the guidance of their mentors evaluated the success and impact of their project.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 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 August 2017.
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.