Spanish-Speaking Unity Council of Alameda County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE UNITY COUNCIL'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL EQUITY AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE BY CREATING VIBRANT COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE CAN WORK, LEARN AND THRIVE. THE UNITY COUCIL'S PROGRAMS COMBAT BARRIER AND EMPOWER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE TOOLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ADVANCE TOWARD THEIR LONG-TERM EDUCATIONAL, CAREER, HOUSING AND FINANCIAL GOALS. THE UNITY CONCIL OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS ALL STAGES OF LIFE, FOSTERING EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY GROWTH THROUGH A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES.
- Income
- $44.9 million
- Spending
- $43.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 399
- Volunteers
- 382
- Highest pay
- $442,624, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 September 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)
- $24.6 million spent. The Children & Family Services Department served approximately 985 children and their families at 8 child development centers, 3 childcare partners and 2 home-based programs located in Oakland and Contra Costa during the fiscal year. The program is funded by the following federal and state grants: Head Start, Early Head Start, CSPP, and CCTR. We are funded to serve approximately 910 children and their families. The program primarily supports low-income families, 85% of whom are at or below the federal poverty income guidelines. Comprehensive services include health, nutrition, disabilities, family services, and parent engagement.
- $10.1 million spent. The community programs department is dedicated to supporting youth, adults, and seniors in achieving and maintaining stable economic, career, health, and housing outcomes. During the fiscal year, the department served 6,717 clients through a wide range of holistic, culturally responsive services. Key program areas included: 1) youth achievement and wellness programs for middle and high school students; 2) employment and financial coaching resources for adults and youth; 3) small business assistance; 4) food distribution; 5) senior wellness programming; 6) housing access services; and 7) resident services offered in affordable housing communities. Services were offered in English, Spanish, and Mam. Achievements include the direct distribution of $174,000 in stipends to support economic stability for program participants, as well as the provision of 34,234 emergency-prepared meals to unhoused individuals and residents wit access to cooking facilities, addressing immediate food insecurity and basic nutritional needs. Additionally, the department also successfully launched resident services at the newly opened Casa Sueos affordable housing development, serving as the lead service provider to support community integration, stability, and long-term wellbeing for new residents.
- $1.6 million spent. The real estate development department advanced its mission to construct and preserve affordable housing in Oakland through strong collaboration with financial and public partners and experienced consultants. Major recent milestones included the completion of Juntos Fruitvale, a renovation project transforming a landmark property at 3357 International Boulevard into a three-story, 20,000-square-foot cultural arts center offering affordable workspace, small business support, and community event space. The department also celebrated the completion of Casa Sueos, a 181-unit affordable housing development co-developed with BRIDGE Housing, featuring 46 supportive housing units and 75 apartments subsidized by the Oakland Housing Authority's Project-Based Section 8 program. Casa Sueos now houses CURYJ (Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice) and brought together Unity Council departments such as Housing Access and Head Start, providing direct application assistance to 40 families. Additionally, construction began on the East 12th Street project, a 91-unit affordable housing development near Lake Merritt, with 23 units reserved for formerly homeless households. This project is being co-developed with EBALDC and Jordan Real Estate Investments, furthering the shared commitment to safe, healthy, and permanent affordable housing in Oakland.
- The dollar amounts reported on line 4a reflect the sum of all programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 September 2025.
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 October 1968.
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 October 21, 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.