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California Environmental Justice Alliance

EIN 85-0592960 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood87 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to fight against fossil fuel executives and industries that have turned our communities into dumping grounds for toxic waste, poisoning our air, water, lan, and bodies. We organize to oppose giant oil refineries, dirty gas-fired power plants, and drill sites next to our homes and schools. We organize against oil and gas lobbyists who have bought off politicians and rewrote our states climate policies to pad their profits, in order to bring environmental justice to our communities.

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
9.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
21
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$128,592, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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, 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Energy Justice Project: Seeks to ensure California transitions equitably from dirty fossil fuels to 100% clean, renewable energy by mobilizing residents in low-income communities of color to advocate for the expansion of renewable energy access and small-scale clean energy generation in their commumities. CEJAs Regenerate California campaign is part of this project, with our partner the Sierra Club. This campaign seeks to shut down all gas-fired power plants in California and replacing them with community-beneficial clean energy and other projects. CEJAs SOMAH (Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing) program is another component that seeks to ensure equitable access to rooftop solar, energy bill savings and paid job training opportunities in th solar industry.
  2. $846,161 spent. Land Use Project: Green Zones are areas that have experienced historic disinvestment and neglect - most often low-income communities and communities of color. - where residents have been organizing for decades to reduce industrial pollution and implement solutions that address the unhealthy (and often discriminatory) land use patterns that have shaped how our communities look today. Green Zones uses place-based strategies to transform areas overburdened by pollution into healthy, thriving neighborhoods through comprehensive, community-led, solution-oriented, and collaborative approaches.
  3. $661,027 spent. Civic Engagement Project: Seeks to engage voters of color in environmental justice communities to support just polices that protect community health and well-being. Our goal is to enhance the capacity of residents to conduct civic engagement activities to strengthen the EJ voter bloc across California. This is achieved by supporting the creation and implementation of targeted civic engagement outreach and related educational programs and materials with our grassroots membership.
  4. $135,846 spent. Climate Justice Project: Seeks to advance statewide climate policies that protect and benefit EJ communities and meet fossil fuel phase-out goals while most effectively fighting climate change. Our goals are to strengthen collaboration with local partners to improve Cap-and-trade policies, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and related pollutants, and block dirty hydrogen infrastructure. Sustainable transportation and building meaningful partnerships with labor groups to align on Just Transition priorities are also areas of work under this project.
  5. Climate Justice Project: Seeks to advance statewide climate policies that protect and benefit EJ 135846. 33332. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 August 2021.

    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 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.