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South Coast Chinese Cultural Asso

EIN 95-3367525 · Irvine, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE CHINESE LANGUAGE LEARNING, TO PRESERVE CHINESE HERITAGE, TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUES OF THE CHINESE CULTURE, AND TO ADVOCATE CULTURE DIVERSITY IN AMERICA.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
12.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
77
Volunteers
800

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $1.2 million spent. IRVINE CHINESE SCHOOL - THE PROGRAM OFFERS A VARIETY OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL COURSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. IN ADDITION, SCCCA OFFERS A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ALLOW THEM TO EARN FIVE CREDITS EACH SEMESTER.
  2. $644,197 spent. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE PROGRAM OFFERS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS A DAILY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FROM 2:30PM TO 6:30PM, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, CLASSES IN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, AND ENGLISH WRITING.
  3. $650,286 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAM - THE PROGRAM OFFERS A VARIETY OF ENRICHMENT, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
  4. $370,896 spent. SUMMER CAMP - THE PROGRAM IS BEING HELD FOR 10 TO 11 WEEKS EACH YEAR DURING JUNE TO AUGUST. STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN FULL- OR HALF-DAY PROGRAMS.
  5. $38,331 spent. IRVINE CHINESE CHORUS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 1979.

    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.