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El Pajaro Community Development Corporation

EIN 94-2656048 · Watsonville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EL PAJARO CDC'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE EQUAL ACCESS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN SANTA CRUZ, MONTEREY, AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES. THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY ECONOMIC PROGRAMS. THE CORPORATION PROVIDES ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES, FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES, SELF-EMPLOYMENT, AND JOBS FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS. THE CORPORATION SHALL ALSO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
12
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$155,544, executive director

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

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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)
  1. $1.2 million spent. TA & TRAINING: EL PAJARO CDC OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS CONSULTING AND COACHING SERVICES TAILORED TO BOTH ASPIRING AND ESTABLISHED ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS THE TRI-COUNTY REGION. OUR EXPERT GUIDANCE INCLUDES A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT, INCLUDING ACCESS TO FUNDING, DEVELOPING BUSINESS PLANS, ENHANCING TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES, STRENGTHENING ONLINE PRESENCE, FACILITATING BUSINESS GROWTH AND EXPANSION AND GENERAL COUNSELING. OUR SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND SUPPORTIVE FOR ENTREPRENEURS OF ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION AND LITERACY. IN ADDITION, EL PAJARO CDC OFFERS A VARIETY OF BUSINESS-FOCUSED TRAININGS FROM OUR COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLANNING COURSE, EMPRESARI@, TO SINGLE-SESSION, INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS IN MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA, BUSINESS ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS ETHICS, CUSTOMER SERVICE. ADDITIONALLY, OUR ANNUAL "DA DEL EMPRESARIO" IS A ONE-DAY BUSINESS CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON THE NEEDS OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND START-UPS, AND THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIES AND SUCCESS STORIES FROM WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND LEADERS.
  2. $768,639 spent. COMMERCIAL KITCHEN: THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN INCUBATOR IS A SHARED-USE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN LAUNCHED IN JULY 2013 TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPECIALTY FOOD RELATED BUSINESSES ON THE CENTRAL COAST. EL PAJARO CDC PROVIDES ACCESS TO A PROFESSIONALLY EQUIPPED COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ACCESS TO MARKETS. THIS FACILITY OFFERS AN ARRAY OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THAT INCLUDE BUSINESS COACHING, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ADVICE, ACCESS TO MARKETS, PROMOTIONAL EVENTS, AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL ASSISTANCE.
  3. $442,884 spent. LOAN PROGRAM: EL PAJARO CDC'S IN-HOUSE MICROLENDING PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS AND ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES WHO STRUGGLE TO ACCESS CAPITAL TO START AND GROW THEIR BUSINESSES. HISTORICALLY, OUR ENTREPRENEURS HAVE HAD TO RELY ON SAVINGS, FAMILY LOANS, OR PREDATORY LENDING TO FUND THEIR VENTURES. WE ARE THRILLED TO OFFER A SAFE AND AFFORDABLE LOAN ALTERNATIVE THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND CREDIT SERVICES.
  4. $261,068 spent. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC)
  5. $192,699 spent. BUSINESS INCUBATOR PLAZA

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

  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 October 13, 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 June 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 May 1980.

    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 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.