Breathe California Sacramento Region
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Breathe California Sacramento Region works to protect and improve air quality and public health in the Sacramento region through education, advocacy, and community-based solutions.
- Income
- $885,586
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 16.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 70%
- Employees
- 18
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $113,750, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 June 30, 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 (1)
- $773,789 spent. Since 1917, Breathe California Sacramento Region (SacBreathe) has been at the forefront of promoting lung health and clean air in our communities. Originally established as the Sacramento Society for the Prevention and Cure of Tuberculosis, the organization has evolved to address the pressing respiratory challenges of each era. SacBreathe continues to champion a future with tobacco-free youth, accessible electric vehicles, and pedestrian-friendly communities. Through education, policy, advocacy and community engagement, we strive to ensure that everyone in the Sacramento Region can breathe clean, healthy air.SacBreathe runs community health events in Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado and more. Byeducating our communities on how to make the air cleaner, by using nontoxic cleaningproducts, separating food waste from trash, driving electric cars, walking or bikinginstead of driving, saying no to tobacco and more. Every year, SacBreathe holds a contest asking students in middle and high school to make an original Public Service Announcement (PSA) to support community and peer-to-peer education. Topics include Harms and Impacts of Commercial Tobacco, Air Quality Education and Information, and Food Scraps Recycling and Recovery. The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is open to anyone 14-19 years old living in the Sacramento region who are interested in joining SacBreathes efforts in education, policy, advocacy, and research. Our Community CarShare (OCCS) makes electric vehicles available at a discounted rate to disadvantaged and low-income communities in the City of Sacramento to help raise awareness and educate the public on the benefits of electric vehicles, to strengthen local economies by providing a zero-emission transportation option and to reduce emissions from traditional internal combustion vehicles in the Sacramento Region. The Food Scraps and Recycling program empowers schools and communities to reduce food waste, promote sustainability, and foster environmental stewardship. Sacramento Neighborhoods activating on Air Quality (SNAAQ 3.0) was created under the Assembly Bill 617. The program's focus is to reduce carbon emissions and improve public health in the most polluted communities. UC Davis Health Neighbor Clean Air Program distributes portable air purifiers to approximately 300 homes near a large construction project at the UC Davis Medical Center-Sacramento Campus. SacBreathe distributed 215 HEPA air purifiers and 430 replacement filters. Clean Mobility in Schools (CMIS) Project supports emission reduction strategies at Twin Rivers Unified School District, showcasing zero-emission mobility solutions for schools statewide. SacBreathe developed an elementary-appropriate presentation and activity book to engage students on air quality and the CMIS project, and delivered in-class presentations across multiple classrooms, concluding each session with a hands-on seed-planting activity. Mobility Zones Project (MZP) focused on holding workshops in each county in the Sacramento region to engage priority groups, especially those historically underrepresented in transportation planning. The goal was to collect resident input on transportation projects SACOG should consider funding and implementing within the Mobility Zones. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) involves conducting education and outreach at six schools in Sacramento County. The purpose of this project is to teach students how to walk and bike safely and to determine the safest routes for each location.Purchased by the organization in the 1980s the Breathe Building at 909 12th Street in downtown Sacramento has been a long-time cultivator of the organizations helping to shape the future of our communities. With our updated conference room acting as ameeting and gathering space, and the building's ability to host several communitygroups and nonprofit tenants there is lots bustling and bubbling behind these walls.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 1967.
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.