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Oakland Fund for Public Innovation

EIN 87-2236607 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Oakland Fund reaches across the city, engaging private partners to innovate, test and scale ideas that enhance Oakland. The Fund strives to improve the prosperity, safety and quality of life for all Oaklanders with projects that: build a more trustworthy and responsive government allow Oaklanders to stay rooted and thrive in our city and create a more vibrant and connected Oakland for all who live, work and play here.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$264,347, ceo

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 863% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Rooted Educator Housing Rooted, an established housing program for Oakland educators, joined OFPI in FY25. The program provides equitable housing solutions, including stipends, rent discounts, reduced security deposits, lease guarantees, insurance supports, and financial coaching. Rooted served more than 260 educators, saving an average of $2,000 annually on rent. Participants spent 2829% of income on housingbelow the 30% affordability benchmarkand achieved a 92% retention rate vs. 82% district-wide.
  2. $903,617 spent. Jobs & Entrepreneurship Expands pathways to financial stability and small business growth. In FY25, OFPI supported ESO Ventures and Built Here Oakland, enabling 600+ entrepreneurs to access capital and coaching, while piloting reentry entrepreneurship programs. Youth employment programs created new income opportunities, and the Cultural Strategists in Government (CSIG) program embedded local artists in city systems, engaging 500+ residents.
  3. $448,878 spent. Healthy & Safe Communities Supports violence prevention and wrap-around services through grassroots partnerships. In FY25, OFPI provided grants to organizations like TRYBE, Freedom School (Homies Empowerment), EOBA, Planting Justice, BWLLC, and the Huey P. Newton Foundation. These programs reached hundreds of Oakland youth and families with culturally rooted prevention and belonging strategies.
  4. $317,239 spent. Other Program Services Includes cross-cutting program support and shared program activities that enable delivery across initiatives (e.g., convenings, evaluation/communications in support of programs, and other shared program costs not captured above).

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 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 June 2025.

    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 May 2022.

    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.