Ethiopian Community Los Angeles Ecla
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSION STATEMENTThe Ethiopian Community Los Angeles, ECLA, is an inclusive, nonpolitical, and nonreligious civic organization aiming to address the social, economic, and educational needs of Ethiopian immigrants, and others in similar situations, residing in the Greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. ECLA is committed to promote the history and the cultural heritage of Ethiopia at large.VISION STATEMENTTo see Ethiopians in Los Angeles and its surroundings be fully integrated, united, equally addressed, and benefitted from the socio-economic and educational opportunities available in the country while advancing their culture, history and heritage.SIGNIFICANT ACTIVTIESYouth Program - Promoting youth development through partnership with National Parks and Recreation by offering weekly soccer skills, practice, STEM subjects tutoring, mentoring, and hosting cultural events. The Organization offers one on one tutoring and provides zoom accounts and laptops to instructors as needed
- Income
- $684,001
- Spending
- $65,468
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $21,875, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 90% of income.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (1)
- $42,103 spent. Youth Program - Promoting youth development through partnership with National Parks and Recreation by offering weekly soccer skills, practice, STEM subjects tutoring, mentoring, and hosting cultural events. The Organization offers one on one tutoring and provides zoom accounts and laptops to instructors as needed.Family Services: Providing bilingual resource center through collaboration with a local senior center to break down language barriers; provide service to immigrant families to access resources; help with document translations, applications, transportation issues, and the elderly break social isolation. Offering pro-bono bilingual legal servicesExpert Panel Live Streams: Broadcasting various timely live panels based on community needs. Some examples are financial literacy, substance abuse, depression, mental awareness, and childhood diseases. Investing in website and technology training for staff.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.
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 April 2020.
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.