California State Protocol Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE PROTOCOL FOUNDATION IS TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS BY RELIEVING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OF ITS OBLIGATIONS TO FUND CERTAIN EXPENDITURES OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 3
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
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $676,957 spent. CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS BY RELIEVING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OF ITS OBLIGATIONS TO FUND CERTAIN EXPENDITURES OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE PROTOCOL FOUNDATION SUPPORTED VARIOUS CEREMONIAL EVENTS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, INCLUDING EVENTS WITH VISITING DIGNITARIES TO THE STATE, RECEPTIONS WITH STATE LEADERS AND SWEARING-IN CEREMONIES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO FUNDED THE ANNUAL CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY.
- $248,758 spent. CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS BY RELIEVING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OF ITS OBLIGATIONS TO FUND CERTAIN EXPENDITURES OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE PROTOCOL FOUNDATION HELPED SUPPORT DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS. THIS INCLUDED FUNDING TRAVEL COSTS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE VATICAN CLIMATE SUMMIT IN MAY 2024 AND THE GOVERNOR'S ATTENDANCE AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO.
- $145,975 spent. CONSISTENT WITH ITS MISSION TO LESSEN THE BURDEN ON CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS BY RELIEVING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OF ITS OBLIGATIONS TO FUND CERTAIN EXPENDITURES OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE PROTOCOL FOUNDATION HELPED FUND THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND CONTINUED RENOVATION, OPERATIONS AND FURNSIHING OF THE HISTORIC GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN SACARAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROTOCOL FOUNDATION HELPED SUPPORT EVENTS AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND FUNDED A PROGRAM EXHIBITNG ARTWORK BY LIVING CALIFORNIA ARTISTS AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.