Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment CAUSE is a 501c3 nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political and civic empowerment of the Asian Pacific American APA community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development. Founded in 1993, CAUSE is comprised of committed professional, business, community and political leaders, and has established itself as a unique nonpartisan APA organization dedicated mainly to APA civic and political participation. Based in the Greater Los Angeles area, CAUSE's influence reaches throughout Southern California. CAUSE's primary programs focus on three main areas: VOTE - Voter Outreach, Training, and Education VOTE Initiatives empower individuals to be active political participants, vote in elections, and share resources that educate APA communities about elections. This includes information about in-language resources, voting processes, and insights
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 170
- Highest pay
- $126,509, executive dir.
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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (4)
- $398,960 spent. CAUSE elevates Asian Pacific American voices through Voter Outreach, Training, & Education VOTE Initiatives by continuing to provide in-language access and educate APA voters about issues that impact their communities. In 2020, CAUSE held two events with then-Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, to provide information to the APA community, the fastest-growing sector of voters, about mail-in voting and COVID-19 safety protocols. This initiative also included Cross Cultural Dialogues focused on a series of Multiethnic Statewide Community Polls conducted in partnership with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and Los Angeles Urban League, in consultation with the Los Angeles Times. The poll captured perceptions of race relations and identity, responses to COVID-19 efforts, and insights into issues including elections, immigration, and hate crime.
- $381,148 spent. The CAUSE Leadership Academy CLA for Students is a nine-week internship program for college students who are interested in civic engagement, public policy, and Asian Pacific American APA community issues. Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders and policymakers while gaining a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. Interns leave the program with a better understanding of how to engage in local politics and affect the change they want to see in the world. Traditionally, the program consists of four elements: The Internship, Civic Leadership Workshops, Civic Engagement Project, and an Annual Capitol Summit. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
- $76,446 spent. CAUSE ON CAMPUS IS A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) students. This program provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills while working on a hands-on voter engagement project.
- $20,315 spent. The CAUSE Leadership Institute CLI for Professionals, is a 6-month community leadership and advocacy training certificate program for high-potential professionals with seasoned leadership experience and a passion for serving the needs of the Asian Pacific Americans APA community in California. Participants complete the program armed with the skills and connections vital to advocate for the APA community. Graduates of this program have gone on to change the civic landscape in the region through elected office and leadership roles in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.