Empowerment Through Action
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The specific purpose of this corporation is to support the educational, social, and emotional growth of underrepresented students.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $128,256
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 175
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 95% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% 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
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 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)
- $48,413 spent. Mentoring Program - Weekly Mentorship: Small group meetings (8:1) led by HHS staff volunteers trained in restorative practices and trauma literacy, which focus on promoting social and emotional learning, sense of self, and a sense of belonging. Mentors sign up for a 4-year commitment to a group of 8 students because consistency and stability are key success factors for building relational trust. They meet once a week, three times a month for 45 minutes. In 2024-25 we had 220 students in the program. We hope students gain a sense of self confidence, and self-worth and graduate from high school. (Continued on Sch. O) Weekly Mentorship (continued): In 2025, 100% of ETA participants graduated compared to 82% for socioeconomically similar peers across the district within our school district Suspension rates have fallen by 50% in 2022-25 Over 84% of students reported they felt more confident, and 80% reported they learned positive ways to respond to stress.93% of Students in ETA report having a trusted adult on campus whom they feel comfortable going to for support.Job & Internship Placement: Provides resume and interview preparation, direct placements, and professional skill-building for jobs and internships in our communities. The hope is that we have all the juniors in ETA in a job or internship when we build out the program. In 24-25, we had about 6 students in summer internships and many placed in jobs in the community. Bridge to Bridge Program: Provides transition support from middle to high school and high school to college (including connection to CSM). We started our Bridge Groups in the eighth grade at Borel, Bayside, and Abbott Middle Schools. We currently have around fifty seniors at Hillsdale High School who participate in Bridge to Bridge activities like: Field trips to CSM and Skyline, CSM Promise Program Presentation, targeted support in applying to college and FAFSA, and meet with CSMs PEP (Priority Enrollment Program). In 2024-2025, we worked with 32 eight grade students from the feeder middle school to transition to high school.
- $44,997 spent. Peace Pantry - Community Resources: Access to the Peace Pantry (food bank), Community Closet (clothing), and Community Garden (organic fruits and vegetables and well-being). At Hillsdale, the Peace Pantry serves over 150 families from the community. We have on a weekly average about 40 volunteers helping in the Peace Pantry, Garden, and closet with a total of approximately 175 who have been involved over the year. The goal is that we can support families in need with food, clothing, and other essential items so students can focus on school and finding joy.
- $9,216 spent. Emergency Housing - Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we are able to help students and families with rent and other essential items when they are facing eviction or homelessness. The goal is to support any student and their family to avoid homelessness or moving out of the districts area until the money runs out.
- $8,121 spent. Enrichment activities - Sports, art, field trips & entrepreneurship activities create important opportunities for students who are traditionally disenfranchised due to financial constraints and limited access. Our goal is to have at least 7-10 students in each activity. In 2024-2025, we ran 7 activities and had around 50 participants.
- $5,792 spent. Community Resource Center - Academic Support Through After-School Tutoring: ETA provides academic support through our ETA RISE program in the Community Resource Center, a dedicated learning space. Students have access to peer and professional adult tutors to support them in all subjects. Students are celebrated for their hard work and regular attendance. Our goal is have any ETA student with two or more F grades come to ETA RISE at least once a week. On average, there are 10-15 students in ETA RISE after school Monday-Thursday.
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
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 June 2025.
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 September 2024.
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.