Despierta
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Despierta supports emotional well-being healthy relationships and digital wellness helping individuals navigate school family life and todays digital world with confidence. From middle school through motherhood Despierta provides culturally responsive care and a strong sense of community where participants feel supported and equipped to thrive. Through culturally rooted programs and partnerships we are breaking cycles building confidence and transforming lives.
- Income
- $852,915
- Spending
- $444,994
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 11.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $79,964, executive director and founder
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 468% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $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
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (3)
- $207,073 spent. Bonita Rising | Youth Program | Bonita Rising is a 22 week trauma informed bilingual youth program for Latina students in grades 6-12 in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. During the year Despierta operated 11 cohorts at 9 school sites helping participants strengthen cultural identity build mental health awareness and develop leadership and coping skills. Program surveys showed that 100% of students reported a boost in confidence 96% reported learning a new skill that positively impacted their academics 91% reported stronger mental health awareness 83% reported an increase in self worth and 87% reported feeling more comfortable in school after Bonita Rising.
- $3,340 spent. Bonita Mam | Support for Young | Mothers Bonita Mam is a culturally grounded trauma informed program for young Latina mothers many of whom are still in high school. Hosted at Crittenton of North Carolina the program provides a safe judgment free space where participants receive biweekly emotional support parenting education and tools to strengthen their mental health stay engaged in school and build stable futures for themselves and their children. Services include peer support groups parenting and emotional wellness sessions and referrals to childcare and community resources helping reduce isolation and promote healthy family stability.
- $123,576 spent. Mujer Despierta | Womens Support Groups | Mujer Despierta is a 12 week Spanish language support group for Latina women who are navigating emotional challenges cultural adjustment and healing from trauma. Offered both as a community based group and an in school group for parents of Bonita Rising participants the program provides a safe supportive environment to build emotional wellness skills increase social support and reconnect with personal strengths. Sessions are delivered in a hybrid in person and virtual format and focus on trauma informed peer support cultural adjustment and empowerment so women can lead fuller more confident lives.
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 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 December 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 September 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.