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Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment

EIN 94-3179772 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES TO INSPIRE COMMUNITY ACTION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, CONSUMERS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

Income
$12.6 million
Spending
$12.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
34
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$209,336, interim executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 95% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $10.0 million spent. THROUGH ITS PRIMARY GRANTMAKING PROGRAM, THE ROSE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES THAT HELP PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND INSPIRE COMMUNITY ACTION. THE GRANTS THAT ROSE MAKES ARE DERIVED FROM A VARIETY OF FUNDING SOURCES INCLUDING COLLEAGUE FOUNDATIONS, COURT-ORDERED SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS, GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS.
  2. $500,437 spent. THE NEW VOICES ARE RISING PROGRAM WORKS WITH YOUTH FROM LOW-INCOME BAY AREA COMMUNITIES SUFFERING FROM EXPOSURE TO TOXIC POLLUTION. THE PROGRAM HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS THROUGH A SUMMER ACADEMY, SCHOOL TERM FELLOWSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS WITH NON-PROFITS AND BUSINESSES, AND FIELD TRIPS TO EXPLORE ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS AND VOLUNTEER OPTIONS.
  3. $328,494 spent. THROUGH ITS GRASSROOTS GRANTMAKING PROGRAMS, THE ROSE FOUNDATION FOCUSES SPECIAL ATTENTION ON SMALL AND EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL CHARITIES, WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE SECURING FUNDING FROM TRADITIONAL SOURCES, AND PROVIDES THEM WITH SEED FUNDING AND TRAINING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.