Calaveras Cold Case Task Force
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CALAVERAS COLD CASE TASK FORCES MISSION IS TO SOLVE COLD CASES. THIS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY FORENSIC SERVICES THAT PROVIDE CUTTING-EDGE SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS THE CCTF IS ACCOMPLISHING THE IDENTIFICATION OF UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS AND MISSING PERSONS AND BRINGING JUSTICE TO VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
- Income
- $146,789
- Spending
- $114,308
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 29.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 48% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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, 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 (1)
- $103,510 spent. The CCTFs goal is to solve cold cases. This is primarily accomplished by reviewing evidence and funding laboratory analysis of evidence and human remains that have been unidentified for many years. Forensic services funded by the CCTF have resulted in the identification of numerous pieces of human remains that have been unidentified since they were discovered at a massive crime scene in Wilseyville CA in the 1980s. The remains consisted of pieces of bone and teeth that had been burned and crushed or were highly degraded by other means. Some public sources estimate that twenty people were victimized by the two serial killers and known victims consist of whole families including two babies. The CCTF has submitted over 150 pieces of bone and teeth from this case for specialized forensic analysis to laboratories that specialize in extracting DNA from highly degraded remains. Numerous fragments of these remains have been successfully identified since 2024. Of these several pieces of a female victim were identified and are in the process of being returned to her family. In late 2024 the team successfully identified a previously unknown victim: Reginald Reggie Frisby a black man from San Francisco CA. Reggie had never been reported missing. His family now knows he was the victim of a horrendous crime and can gain closure and say goodbye to their son and brother. His remains are also in the process of being returned to his family with dignity. The team is currently investigating a John Doe and Jane Doe DNA profile for identification. Relatives of both victims have been identified and their identities are believed to be soon discovered. The DNA was extracted from bone fragments and are likely from previously unknown victims as well. Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy experts are currently working to identify these individuals. In a different case partial female remains were recovered from a local lake below a bridge in 2015. This Jane Doe has remained unidentified and is believed to be the victim of homicide. The CCTF had her DNA successfully extracted and the investigation to identify her is underway. It is believed that her identity will be gained very soon. The team continues to investigate leads evaluate and analyze evidence conduct witness interviews and solve cold cases through collaborative efforts with multiple agencies through a multi-disciplinary approach. The funds received from community donations enable the work to continue.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 April 2024.
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.