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Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in California

EIN 94-3252009 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCES RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE TO ENSURE DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

Income
$8.0 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
32.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
28
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$186,875, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.6 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 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 212% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $3.9 million spent. JUSTICE REFORM AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK IS INFORMED BY A "TRUTH AND REINVESTMENT" FRAMEWORK; "TRUTH" MEANS RECKONING WITH THE REALITY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE FROM SLAVERY TO JIM CROW TO OUR CURRENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. "REINVESTMENT" MEANS LEADING A MATERIAL SHIFT IN RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE PUNISHMENT ECONOMY AND TOWARD PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. THE ORGANIZATION'S KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDE:1. PEOPLE POWERED POLICY - THE ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WORKS WITH MEMBERS AND ALLIES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA TO ADVANCE STATE AND LOCAL POLICY PRIORITIES INCLUDING CURBING EXTREME SENTENCES, ENDING ABUSIVE PRACTICES INSIDE PRISONS AND JAILS, KEEPING FAMILIES CONNECTED WITH THEIR LOVED ONES WHO ARE LOCKED UP, AND REDUCING THE FINANCIAL BURDENS FACED BY INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES. 2. PATHWAYS TO FREEDOM - THE ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTS THE ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE SEEKING FREEDOM FOR THEIR LOVED ONES AND WORKS TO ENSURE RECENT POLICY WINS HAVE THE MOST ROBUST IMPLEMENTATION POSSIBLE. EBC ADVANCES PATHWAYS TO FREEDOM BY DEVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING WRITTEN RESOURCES AND TOOLKITS TO INFORM PEOPLE OF RECENT CHANGES IN THE LAW AND HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR RELIEF DUE TO THESE CHANGES. IN ADDITION, EBC HOLDS SEVERAL TRAINING SESSIONS ANNUALLY, BOTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN PRISONS TO INFORM AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT VARIOUS WAYS TO ADVOCATE FOR FREEDOM. 3. COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND POWER BUILDING - THE ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS BUILDS POWER THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZING THROUGH A VARIETY OF SUB PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE NIGHT OUT FOR SAFETY AND LIBERATION (NOSL). 4. MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM - THE ELLA BAKER CENTER'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS A WAY FOR ANYONE, ANYWHERE BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO CREATE A TRULY SAFE AND JUST NATION.
  2. $4,693 spent. RESTORE OAKLAND: A JOINT INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE EBC AND RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTER UNITED, INC. ("ROCU"), RESTORE OAKLAND IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND TRAINING CENTER THAT EQUIPS RESIDENTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO MAKE A SECURE ECONOMIC FUTURE POSSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THE RESTORE OAKLAND MODEL LEADS WITH ORGANIZING AND ADVOCACY TO BUILD REAL POWER AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR OUR COMMUNITIES WHILE ALSO PROVIDING HANDS-ON JOB TRAINING, BUSINESS INCUBATION, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MEDIATION AND HOUSING RIGHTS SERVICES ALL IN ONE SPACE. RESTORE OAKLAND IS THE HOME OF EBC'S HEADQUARTERS, AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE OFFICE SPACE FOR OTHER OAKLAND-BASED SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUPS.

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 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 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 September 1999.

    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.