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Soma West Community Benefit District

EIN 83-4557886 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 97 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SOMA West Community Benefit Districts primary exempt purpose is to advance the common good, general welfare, and quality of life of all San Franciscans and visitors to San Francisco by enhancing environmental quality and beauty in the District, and... (continued on Schedule O)

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
7.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
64
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$261,102, excecutive director

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 97 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $4.8 million spent. Clean, Safe, and Beautiful (7/1/24-6/30/25): SWCBDs Clean, Safe, and Dispatch Teams delivered measurable results through efficient, data-driven field operations. Clean Team: picked up 673,210 lbs. of trash; completed 112,012 sweeping; 73,134 hazardous; 66,954 code brown; 10,149 tree wells; 10,104 graffiti removals; and 4,799 pressure washing tasks - ensuring a clean and healthy public realm. Safety Team: Conducted 5,916 location checks; 2,426 loitering responses; 2,631 tent counts; 252 move-alongs; 457 sidewalk obstructions; 219 encampment contact; 182 disturbance interventions; 105 homeless responses maintaining visibility, outreach, and safety. Dispatch Team: Managed 3,923 calls and 2,307 service emails with an average handle time of 2m 56s, ensuring timely response and efficient resource deployment. Together, these teams demonstrated strong stewardship, community care, and measurable impact across SOMA West.
  2. $491,135 spent. Marketing and Advocacy (7/1/24-6/30/25): SWCBD hosts and supports community events such as SOMA Nights, SOMA Blooms, Monthly Community Happy Hours, Refuse Refuse Volunteer Trash Pickup, SOMA Sings, HOLLA Days and special Event Greening 2024, that bring people together,activate public spaces, and strengthen neighborhood connections. From cleanups and cultural celebrations to pop-ups and partnerships, these gatherings reflect the energy and diversity of their district. SWCBD actively collaborates with City agencies, community partners, and local organizations to advocate for resources, safety, and equitable improvements across the neighborhood. Through ongoing engagement, SWCBD supports efforts that address complex challenges and uplift the Districts diverse community. This year, advocacy included: HSH Priority Sites Community Support, Russ Street United Playaz Safety Ambassadors, SF Shines, Downtown ENRG.

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 March 2020.

    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.

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.