Westside Community Empowerment Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 33% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of westside residents through increased civic responsibility enhanced mental and physical well-being and advanced educational opportunities. And in doing so we will address behavioral health generational trauma and wealth-based obstacles to progress through the creation of opportunities that will create pathways to generational wealth.
- Income
- $301,855
- Spending
- $295,336
- Spent on programs
- 33%
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 21 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 98% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 96% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1533% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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.
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 March 31, 2026, 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)
- $44,000 spent. Youth Enrichment Program with a 12-week curriculum. Goal: Provide youth with Social Emotional Learning SEL tools. The program integrated robotics creative arts and basic life skills development. Each session either demonstrated a previously taught or introduced a new emotional skillset. Goal achievement was broken down into 6 levels referred to as rites of passage. There were 48 participants. At the end of the program each participant received a new pair of sneakers.
- $39,757 spent. Community Outreach Program. Our organization served 52 community members through culturally enriching and skill-based programs. Programs included African Dance with Drums Learning Spanish cosmetology classes and CPR certification. Programs maintained an average week attendance rate of 80% and a retention rate of 78% reflecting strong engagement and consistency. Participants demonstrated measurable growth across all program areas. In African Dance 85% of participants showed improved rhythm coordination and cultural knowledge. In cosmetology training 78% of participants demonstrated job-ready skills in ponytail styling and lash application. Spanish language participants showed progress with 75% able to engage in basic conversations. In CPR training 90% of the participants successfully completed certification and demonstrated emergency response readiness. Beyond direct participants programs extended their impact by reaching an additional 200 community members through commuity engagement word-of-mouth and shared resources.
- $15,000 spent. Through four PlayStreets events held in the West Garfield community the organization created safe engaging spaces for youth and families to gather play and build positive social connections. Each event served an estimated 200-350 community members resulting in a total reach of approximately 1,100 unduplicated individuals across all events accounting for repeat attendance. These events transformed neighborhood streets into safe havens for recreation and community engagement providing structured activities such as games music food distribution and interactive attractions including jump houses. As a result: Over 1,100 residents were engaged in safe supervised outdoor activities that promoted community cohesion and reduced idle time for youth. An estimated 65%-70% of attendees were youth increasing access to safe recreational spaces in an area with limited structured programming. 80% of participants reported feeling a stronger sense of community connection and neighborhood pride based on informal feedback and on-site engagement. 75% of families participated in multiple activities encouraging family bonding and positive social interaction. In addition to participation metrics PlayStreets events contributed to broader community safety and well-being by activating public spaces in a positive way. The presence of organized activities and community members helped deter negative behaviors and provided youth with safe alternatives during peak hours of risk. Overall the PlayStreets initiative demonstrated measurable success in fostering safe environments strengthening community relationships and increasing access to free family-centered recreational opportunities in the West Garfield neighborhood.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.