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California Preservation Foundation

EIN 94-2569465 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATIONS PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT, AND CONDUCT PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND RESEARCH RELATING TO THE PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE HISTORIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Income
$454,638
Spending
$463,407
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
3
Volunteers
429
Highest pay
$105,533, executive director

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
  1. $230,630 spent. FY2024/25 was a landmark year for CPFs educational programming. Our annual California Preservation Conference, held in Sacramento, brought more than 675 preservation professionals, community leaders, students, and advocates together for four days of education, networking, and advocacy in the State Capitol. The conference featured dozens of sessions on preservation, climate resilience, economic revitalization, and housing, while connecting attendees with state policymakers and preservation leaders. A conference highlight was a half-day forum exploring how thoughtfully designed standards can increase missing middle housing while protecting Californias historic homes and neighborhoods. Throughout the year, CPF also presented more than 30 webinars and educational programs reaching over 4,100 participants statewide. Doors Open California continued to expand, opening more than 70 historic sites to the public. CPF also invested in the next generation through scholarships, paid student fellowships, and research opportunities under our Underrecognized California initiative.
  2. $62,164 spent. FY24/25 marked a major expansion of CPFs advocacy leadership. During the Sacramento Conference, CPF organized its first-ever Preservation Lobby Day at the State Capitol, bringing advocates together to meet directly with legislators. This event strengthened CPFs presence as the statewide voice for preservation and created a new model for member engagement. CPF also co-sponsored AB 1265 with Assemblymember Matt Haney to renew and expand Californias Historic Preservation Tax Credit. This significant initiative promotes historic rehabilitation as an economic development and housing strategy by encouraging adaptive reuse, revitalizing communities, and creating jobs. Throughout the year, CPF mobilized members through advocacy alerts, coalition building, and direct engagement with policymakers. These efforts strengthened its statewide Advocacy Network, ensuring preservation remained central to discussions regarding housing,
  3. $15,718 spent. CPF continued to broaden the stories represented in Californias historic places through research and National Register nominations through our Underrecognized California program, employing students to prepare nominations under the guidance of preservation consulting firms. During FY24/25, the Foundation successfully secured listing of the James Dodd Office Building in Sacramento on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the work of Sacramentos first African American architect and preserving the legacy of a pioneering Black design professional. CPF also began documenting the Firma Lodge in Vallejo for nomination to the National Register. For more than a century, the lodge has served as an important civic, cultural, and fraternal gathering place for Vallejos African American community, making it a significant symbol of the citys Black history and heritage.Together, these projects demonstrate CPFs commitment to preserving Californias diverse history and ensuring that the stories reflected in our historic places represent the full breadth of the states communities.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1979.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.