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Frontline Catalysts

EIN 86-3102192 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Empowering Frontline Youth to Lead the Movement for Transformative Climate Justice

Income
$617,411
Spending
$494,185
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
13
Highest pay
$104,650, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 March 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)
  1. $443,186 spent. During the year, Frontline Catalysts delivered youth-centered environmental justice, leadership development, eco-healing, and digital storytelling programs serving 222 youth, primarily ages 1124. FC provided 17,781.75 total service hours, exceeding projected participation levels.Catalysts Action Leadership Institute (CALI, formerly OYACA):CALI engaged approximately 40 youth through multi-session leadership cohorts, plus an additional 30 youth through partnership engagement on participatory research, advocacy training, and community engagement activities. Youth participated in climate justice education, research, and civic engagement, culminating in youth-led public presentations and community events. Cohort participants completed 75120+ hours of service.Climate Justice Youth Leadership Program (CJYLD In-School):CJYLD served approximately 90 youth through in-school, electives, and lunchtime programs at 3 Title I schools in OUSD. Programming focused on climate justice education, leadership development, civic engagement, and applied learning, including youth participation in community education, organizing activities, and public meetings related to environmental health.Eco-Healing the Town:Eco-Healing the Town engaged approximately 5060 youth in land-based programming addressing urban heat, food sovereignty, and environmental stewardship. Activities included school garden clubs, urban greening events, creek restoration, stewardship training, and eco-healing workshops, improving green spaces at schools and community sites.Frontline Voices (Summer Program):Frontline Voices served 22 youth through a digital storytelling summer program. Youth created videos and multimedia projects focused on environmental justice and community resilience, building technical, creative, and leadership skills.In addition, Frontline Catalysts hosted 11 community-wide events open to youth, families, and community members, including summits, workshops, volunteer days, and public presentations, expanding access to environmental education and youth leadership opportunities. These events reached 400+ community members collectively and provided entry points for new youth and families to engage with climate justice and eco-healing work without requiring long-term enrollment.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 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.