Cora Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CORAS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SAFETY, SUPPORT AND HEALING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE ABUSE IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CORAS VISION IS A SOCIETY WHERE INTIMATE PARTNERS TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH RESPECT, WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF RELATIONSHIP ABUSE ARE NOT TOLERATED, AND WHERE SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WHO NEED THEM.
- Income
- $9.3 million
- Spending
- $8.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 81
- Volunteers
- 74
- Highest pay
- $254,768, 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
Good: 76 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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 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 (5)
- $2.1 million spent. Supportive Housing and Emergency Shelter:CORA offers supportive housing and subsidies to individuals and families left homeless due to domestic violence, as well as emergency shelter for those fleeing violence. Housing and shelter staff assist clients with stabilizing income, accessing available public benefits, and transitioning toward permanent housing. The programs goal is to support long-term self-sufficiency and safety. During the fiscal year 2024-25, 82 clients received supportive housing and/or emergency shelter services.
- $1.4 million spent. Family Support Services:Mental Health Services CORA offers therapeutic counseling services for survivors and their children. Counseling and support groups are led by trained, trauma-informed specialists and are available in English and Spanish. Services may be provided in person or via telehealth to maintain accessibility. During the fiscal year 2024-25, 451 San Mateo County residents received mental health services through CORA.First 5 CORAs First 5funded Zero to Five Family-Centered Mental Health Program provides trauma-informed child-parent psychotherapy and therapeutic parenting support groups for families with children ages 0 to 5 impacted by domestic violence. Services strengthen parent-child relationships, reduce trauma symptoms, and support caregivers in creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments for young children.SPARK Program As part of its mental health services, CORA operates the SPARK program, which provides rapid, trauma-informed therapeutic intervention for children following domestic violence incidents involving law enforcement. SPARK focuses on early stabilization, emotional processing, and connection to ongoing mental health supports for children and families impacted by violence.
- $736,919 spent. Legal Services:CORA works collaboratively with the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office to ensure survivors of domestic violence understand their rights as victim-witnesses and have access to the criminal legal system. Services include legal advocacy and representation. CORA attorneys and legal staff provide free and confidential assistance with restraining orders and related family law matters, including divorce, custody and visitation, establishment of paternity, and child or spousal support. Court accompaniment, advocacy, and referrals are also provided. During the fiscal year 2024-25, 831 clients received legal representation and 233 clients were accompanied to court hearings.Legal Information Line CORA operates a legal information line that accepts messages related to the legal aspects of domestic violence. Attorneys return calls within two days to provide legal information, referrals, and guidance related to restraining orders, custody, divorce, and immigration matters. During the fiscal year 2024-25, the department responded to 2,101 requests for service.
- $734,208 spent. CSS (Crisis Support Services):CORA's CSS Department serves as the front door to the agency for clients and the community. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, CSS provides a lifeline for people in the midst of a domestic violence crisis. With services available around the clock, the department serves as a first responder, offering immediate, compassionate, and skilled support to those in dire need. The department features two programs:24-hour hotline The hotline is how the majority of those fleeing domestic violence get connected to needed services. The hotline supports safety planning and provides an assessment of risks and needs, facilitating access to emergency housing, shelter, or referrals to other departments as indicated. It is a vital component of ensuring the community has access to intervention services in moments of crisis.Emergency Response Program (ERP) ERP is a joint project with countywide law enforcement, through which CORA provides timely intervention and advocacy. This program bridges the gap between immediate danger and ongoing support. In collaboration with local police and sheriff departments, ERP ensures survivors in crisis situations are connected to services that assist with safety planning, stabilization, and access to resources. ERP serves as a direct contact point for law enforcement officers responding to or encountering domestic violence incidents, with crisis counselors providing immediate support and coordination.Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team (DVERT) As part of CSS, CORA participates in the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team (DVERT), a law enforcementled co-response model in which trained survivor advocates are deployed alongside officers to select domestic violence calls. DVERT provides immediate, on-scene crisis intervention, emotional support, and direct connection to CORA services following law enforcement contact.During the fiscal year 202425, CORAs CSS team answered 2,768 calls and responded to 4,785 law enforcement referrals. With total revenue of $965,740 the CSS Department continues to demonstrate CORAs commitment to timely crisis response and survivor safety.
- $702,289 spent. Prevention & Community Engagement:CORAs Prevention & Community Engagement Department implements primary prevention strategies and community-based education to raise awareness, reduce risk factors, and strengthen community responses to domestic violence throughout San Mateo County.The department is comprised of the following programs:Guaranteed Income Initiative As part of its prevention and stabilization efforts, CORA administers a Guaranteed Income initiative for survivors experiencing financial instability. The program provides time-limited, unrestricted financial support to reduce economic dependence, support safety, and decrease barriers to long-term stability and independence.Satellite Offices East Palo Alto and Coastside Through satellite offices in East Palo Alto and the Coastside region, including Half Moon Bay, CORA expands access to domestic violence services for communities that face geographic, linguistic, or systemic barriers to care. These offices provide outreach, education, and direct advocacy services. Community Advocates offer case management, safety planning, risk assessment, education, referrals, and connection to CORAs core programs, while also conducting community outreach and awareness activities to increase access to culturally responsive support for underserved residents.Speak Up A tailored community education program that equips local businesses with tools to recognize and respond to domestic violence affecting employees and customers. Through a three-module training, participants learn to identify warning signs and provide appropriate support.TDAH (To Do At Home) A primary prevention initiative designed for families with young children, providing developmentally appropriate activities that strengthen family bonds and promote healthy relationships. The program engages community partners such as schools, libraries, and housing agencies.YEA! (Youth Education & Advocacy) A school-based program that engages middle and high school students in education about relationship violence and healthy relationships. The program includes classroom-based training and student-led initiatives focused on prevention and advocacy.During the fiscal year 2024-25, the Prevention & Community Engagement Department served 352 businesses through Speak Up, over 3,250 students through YEA!, 42 households through the East Palo Alto and Coastside satellite offices, and 425 families through TDAH.
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
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 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 May 1978.
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.