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Race to Zero Waste

EIN 83-3305529 · S San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support communities, businesses, and governments in the training, education, and policy work needed to move toward a just and equitable circular economy. In support of our mission, Race to Zero Waste works to build local, national, and global campaigns through a network of community coalition leaders who are delivering the message of the circular economy through a variety of pop-up events, webinars, and workshops.

Income
$900,242
Spending
$882,160
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
22
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$70,311, president & ceo

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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (2)
  1. $709,437 spent. ZERO WASTE CA: A FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM POWERED BY ZERO WASTE PROJECT EXPERIENCE AT FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, CONSULTING FIRMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND INSTITUTIONS THIN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. ZERO WASTE STATIONS: THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS ZERO WASTE EDUCATION STATION POP-UPS IN PUBLIC SPACES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE COMMUNITY CLEAN-UPS, WASTE CHARACTERIZATION, AND ZERO WASTE EDUCATION ON COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES A COLLECTION POINT FOR GENTLY-USED ITEMS THAT CAN BE DONATED TO THOSE IN NEED. OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES AN EFFECTIVE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT BY BUILDING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS INTENDED AUDIENCE. THE ORGANIZATION CREATES LONG-TERM BEHAVIORAL CHANGE THROUGH EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT, AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT ZERO WASTE. ZERO WASTE EDUCATION: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN IMPLEMENTING ZERO WASTE EDUCATION AT A PARK, BEACH CLEANUP, OR MULTI-UNIT DWELLING. THE ORGANIZATION COORDINATES STAFF, MATERIAL HANDLING, TENTS, TABLES, BUS TUBS, AND SIGNAGE TO DIRECT INDIVIDUALS IN SORTING MATERIALS PROPERLY. ZERO WASTE WORKSHOPS: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON RECYCLING, COMPOSTING, AND WASTE EDUCATION AND ASSISTS SCHOOLS, INSTITUTIONS, AND BUSINESSES WITH CUSTOMIZED WORKSHOPS TO STAFF. WASTE AUDITS AND ZERO WASTE FACILITATION: THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS WASTE AUDIT NEEDS THROUGH FULL WASTE CHARACTERIZATION IMPLEMENTATION TO PARTNERING AND PROVIDING CREW SUPPORT.
  2. $26,004 spent. RACE TO ZERO WASTE IS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE NORTH BAY ZERO WASTE SYMPOSIUM. THE SYMPOSIUM FOSTERS CIRCULARITY TALKS AND ZERO WASTE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. IT ALSO EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES, AND INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE ACTION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION, COLLABORATION, AND INNOVATION, DRIVING IMPACTFUL CHANGE IN WASTE REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 September 2019.

    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.

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