Cause Communications
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 69 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To identify and spotlight opportunities where strategic communications and collaboration can be leveraged in the nonprofit sector to achieve significant, measurable results for real social change.
- Income
- $900,393
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $307,499, president
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: 5 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 216% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 98% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 69 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
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
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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $1.5 million spent. Cause Communications ("Cause") uses "Communications for Good", working across sectors and silos to advance equal rights, greater opportunity, and better health in communities. Cause offers a full range of communications services to help changemakers leverage the power of communications and build the capacity of nonprofits. From free, original tools and resources to hands-on training programs to strategy-level counsel, Cause assists organizations where they are to help them make a bigger impact. Based in Los Angeles, Cause's footprint is national with a tradition of being on the cutting edge of innovation - exemplifying Los Angeles County's own mantra of - "America, only sooner". The messages and causes the organization amplifies help create a more equitable world. Cause builds and amplifies impact for social-benefit work in two mutually reinforcing areas: - Nonprofit, government, and foundation consulting- Tools, trainings, and resources for capacity building To date, Cause has helped more than 22,000 nonprofit leaders in all 50 states, 45 countries, and on six continents increase their strategic communications skills and knowledge through our trainings and resource materials.
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 July 2000.
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.