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San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society

EIN 95-6193512 · San Diego, CA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote international friendship, peace, and cross-cultural understanding through educational programs, youth engagement, public diplomacy, and cultural exchange. The organization achieves its mission by developing afterschool enrichment programs, facilitating student-led global initiatives, hosting cultural festivals and civic receptions, and fostering people-to-people connections between San Diego and its sister cities, particularly Yokohama, Japan.

Income
$199,017
Spending
$212,433
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 88%
Highest pay
$36,123, program director

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

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
  1. $155,718 spent. Connect the World Afterschool Program ($155,717.83 expenses | $12,410 grant) Delivered Japanese language and cultural enrichment classes at Crown Point Junior Music Academy, Doyle Elementary, and partner campuses, serving over 75 students. Activities included bilingual instruction, intercultural projects, and virtual exchanges with sister schools in Yokohama. Covered payroll, classroom rentals, supplies, insurance, and digital subscriptions. The program builds global citizenship and youth leadership through cross-cultural learning.
  2. $36,382 spent. Youth & Educational Leadership Programs (Meraki / SD-WISH) ($36,382 expenses | $12,410 grant) Included the Mission Bay High School Jazz Preservationists goodwill tour to Yokohama, the Kanazawa High School exchange visit to San Diego, the Meraki Concert Series Work-Study Program, and SD-WISHs Peace & Humanity Day. Students gained practical experience in music, event management, and cultural diplomacy while promoting peace, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
  3. $12,273 spent. Educational Exchange & Teacher Programs ($12,273.17 expenses | $0 grants) Supported bilateral school and teacher exchanges between San Diego and Yokohama, including classroom visits, virtual collaborations, and professional development workshops. Strengthened international educational partnerships and deepened intercultural understanding among educators and students.

Source: Form 990EZ 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2012.

    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 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 February 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.

    California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2001. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.

    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.