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Families in Action for Quality Education

EIN 87-0829250 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FIA was founded to protect access to quality public schools through elevating authentic parent and youth leadership.Families in Action for Quality Education (FIA) empowers Black, Brown, and low-income families in Oakland to advocate for equitable access to high-quality public education. Grounded in the belief that "the people most impacted by the problem should be at the decision-making tables," FIA builds family power by equipping parents and youth with organizing skills, leadership training, and advocacy tools to achieve policy and practice wins at the school and citywide levels.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
11
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$87,800, board chair

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    0 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 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)
  1. $1.3 million spent. FIA trains and mobilizes family leaders at two levels:Grassroots: Families engage fellow parents in their classrooms and schools, strengthening local leadership and advocacy.Grass-tops: FIA leaders influence elected officials and policymakers through research meetings, public actions, and campaigns that push for systemic educational reforms.FIA structures campaigns to address key inequities in Oakland public education, focusing on literacy, college eligibility, and resource allocation.1. A-G College Eligibility CampaignFIA empowers students and parents to close the racial gap in A-G eligibility, ensuring college readiness for Black and Brown students. OUSD High School Superintendent integrated FIA's campaign demands into district goals (2024-25).1,100 students participated in FIA's student-led A-G workshops. Understanding of A-G requirements increased from 34% to 88%. Awareness of individual A-G status rose from 41% to 88%. FIA hosted a nationally live-streamed A-G Roundtable featuring OUSD leaders, educators, and student advocates.
  2. 2. Raise the Bar Campaign (School Quality & Data Transparency)FIA publishes an annual citywide school quality report, highlighting disparities in academic outcomes and best practices in Oakland schools. In June 2024, FIA's advocacy led to the passage of the OUSD Resolution to Advance Black and Brown Student Achievement.The resolution commits OUSD to double Black and Brown student proficiency and increase A-G completion from 50% to 80%. 20 district and charter school leaders pledged to share student data transparency. FIA amplified high-performing schools that have had breakthrough success in reading, math, and A-G completion.
  3. Lit for Literacy Campaign (Family Engagement in Literacy)Lit for Literacy trains parents to become literacy champions, equipping them with skills to support early literacy at home and in schools.- 270 families trained as literacy champions across 9 schools.- 1,035 additional families reached through literacy outreach.- School-wide changes inspired by FIA's literacy advocacy:Redefined school leader, educator, and staff roles to prioritize family partnership in academics.Implemented Tier 1 & Tier 2 structures for parents to teach reading data and literacy strategies to other families.

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

  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 June 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 May 2022.

    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.