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East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

EIN 94-3249753 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EBSC PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, AND TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION TO SUPPORT LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANTS AND PEOPLE FLEEING VIOLENCE AND PERSECUTION.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
40
Volunteers
100

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM (ILS). The program provided free and low-cost legal services for people escaping all forms of violence and persecution. It also offers other legal services such as permanent residency, family petitions for asylum, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and naturalization.
  2. $315,459 spent. COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM (COA). The program supports low-income immigrants to understand their rights, gain skills, work together, and exercise their power to improve systems and policies. The program provides referrals for community college enrollment, job training, legal questions that are not related to the immigration case, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. It also provides free classes to help prepare citizenship exam and communication workshops to develop their leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of their rights and benefits etc.
  3. $238,124 spent. HAITI EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (HERF) - THE PROGRAM PROVIDES solidarity and financial support for grassroots education and economic development in Haiti to benefit university students. It also provides assistance to Womens Organizations Combatting Sexual Violence and Womens Organizations with victimized members that are working to stop violence against women.
  4. $75,120 spent. HAITI RURAL EDUCATION PROJECT (HEP)PROVIDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT RURAL SCHOOLS IN HAITI. THE PRIMARY NEEDS ARE FOR TEACHERS', DIRECTORS AND CUSTODIAN SALARIES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND CONSTRUCTION OF LATRINES AND PERMANENT BUILDINGS.
  5. $26,566 spent. OLAS/LGBT SANCTUARY PROJECT (OLAS)OLAS WAS FOUNDED IN 2014. IT OFFERS SUPPORTIVE, GROUP EXPERIENCES IN THE FORMAT OF WEEKEND WORKSHOPS, RETREATS AND OTHER EVENTS FOR LGBTQ+ IMMIGRANTS FROM LATIN AMERICA SEEKING ASYLUM DUE TO VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION IN THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1996.

    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.