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San Diego Organizing Project

EIN 95-3284521 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Development of grassroots leaders who in turn build powerful organizations to transform their communities.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
20
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$120,894, 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $225,808 spent. DEVELOPMENT OF NON-PARTISAN CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: DURING FY 2023, SAN DIEGO ORGANIZING PROJECT INCREASED OUR VOLUNTEER BASE, EXPANDED OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING WORK INTO NEW COMMUNITIES WITHIN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND CONDUCTED LISTENING CAMPAIGNS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS IN EACH OF OUR CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE REGION. EACH OF OUR 200 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO BUILD EMPOWERING ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR LIVES BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND ENGAGE IN PUBLIC LIFE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. VOLUNTEERS TALK WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW CONGREGATION MEMBERS; THEY ORGANIZE SAN DIEGANS TO ENGAGE WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT COMMON PRIORITIES; THEY DEVELOP A SHARED VISION FOR THEIR COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION'S MULTIPLE COMMUNITY ISSUES WORK FOCUSES ON RACIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUITY, HOUSING JUSTICE, HEALTH DISPARITIES, NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT,COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM, EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, AND NEIGHBORHOOD-SPECIFIC ISSUES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
  2. $225,808 spent. NON-PARTISAN VOTER ENGAGEMENT: DURING FY 2023, SAN DIEGO ORGANIZING PROJECT CONTACTED 1,266 VOTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S DISTRICT 4 AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO VOTE IN THE 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 4'S COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SEAT. THE PROGRAM SECURED 1,138 COMMITMENTS TO VOTE, TRAINED A TEAM OF NINE PHONE BANKERS RECRUITED FROM IMPACTED SAN DIEGO COMMUNITIES, AND TARGETED LOW-PROPENSITY, SPANISH-SPEAKING VOTERS.
  3. $225,807 spent. SAN DIEGO YOUTH ORGANIZING PROJECT: DURING FY 2023, SAN DIEGO ORGANIZING PROJECT BEGAN A TARGETED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, ORGANIZING, CIVIC EDUCATION, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE FOUR YOUTH VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN FY 2023 WERE RECRUITED FROM COMMUNITIES IN SAN DIEGO FACING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUITIES, AND HAD LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING POWER AT THE OUTSET OF THE PROGRAM TO DETERMINE ITS STRUCTURE AND GOALS. THEY ARE DEVELOPING A SHARED VISION FOR THE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES EXPANSION INTO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN ADDITION TO CURRENT MEMBER CONGREGATIONS, AND ISSUE WORK RELATING PRIMARILY TO YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND INCARCERATION PREVENTION.

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 October 2000.

    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.