Speaking Out Collective
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Speaking Out Collective uses storytelling and story-making to spark the curiosity and imagination of children, educators and communities rooted in the arts. We question, create, and reimagine narratives.
- Income
- $460,493
- Spending
- $436,628
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 48%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 57% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 84% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $304,914 spent. Our residency program served 0ver 4,000 children and 1,500 adults in 50 classrooms. We worked in schools, domestic violence shelters, child care centers, and served primarily urban and impoverished communities. We supported PreK-6 to high school, and families who would otherwise not have access to the arts or literacy programs. We developed a new curriculum that brought historical and factual community history to light that would have otherwise been lost with aging elders. Our 16-week residencies continue to be heralded by teachers and parents alike, improving writing and comprehension skills as well as confidence on stage and off. Children continue to showcase candor, insight and creativity. The stories participants imagine, write and develop are imaginative and preserve the meaning of togetherness, illustrating the power of ones voice. An arts-based literacy education is imperative in a childs development. Our greatest challenge continues to be securing funding to meet the demand, especially as education, arts and community funding cuts continue.
- $26,334 spent. Our Old MacDonald mental health puppet tours continued to help PreK-2 and their families talk about mental health and neurodiversity disorders. We served 1,118 children and 367 adults. Student struggles in the classroom, at home and in their community are not unique to one demographic. Most communities have encountered and documented these experiences000. We cannot simply ignore the mental health crisis that has only grown. Our puppet shows, based on consultations with licensed psychologists and statistically increasing disorders, help children understand that you are okay just as you are and can talk about whatever youre feeling. Across the state, community centers, schools and childcare centers experienced the positive and lasting impact of this programming.
- $2,947 spent. Our outreach program continues to develop and offer professional development that is used by PrK-6 schools, high schools, national colleges, and school districts around arts-based critical literacy fundamentals and methodology. We use artistry, fun and joy to improve student and community success at every age. We are purposely rooted in story, storytelling and story-making, and driven by communities to foster connections, and find solutions that celebrate everyone.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.