Sola I Can Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SOLA FOUNDATION IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE PREMISE: IF YOU CAN SEE IT, YOU CAN BE IT. SOLA WORKS TO END INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CREATING NEW ACCESS TO ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $4.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 10.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $283,285, president/exec. dir.
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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 10 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (3)
- $1.7 million spent. TECHNOLOGY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER (TEC): PROVIDE ACCESS TO CAREER DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACCESS TO EDUCATION & TECH INNOVATION ACCESS TO FINANCIAL LITERACY & ECONOMIC MOBILITY ACCESS TO COLLEGE READINESS.
- $618,337 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP: SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS WITH FURNITURE AND OTHER LIVING NEEDS.
- $785,238 spent. SOLA SCHOLARS: PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND COLLEGE SUPPORT TO INSPIRING SOUTH LA HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS COMMITTED TO PURSUING A HIGHER EDUCATION AND MAKING AN IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITY. (ACCESS TO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS).
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 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 May 2018.
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.