California Association of Nonprofits

What it reported doing in 2025

Public policy, advocacy, and education - calnonprofits works with legislators and nonprofit coalitions to support an economic and regulatory climate that allows California nonprofits to do their best work. Calnonprofits documents the value of nonprofit contributions to the economy and the community, keeps nonprofits informed and involved in relevant legislation and court cases, and educates nonprofits about government funding opportunities and regulatory requirements. Through frequent webinars, regional and online convenings, a statewide convention, and other efforts, calnonprofits brings nonprofits together to discuss and debate critical issues facing the sector, to think through the implications of government and philanthropic actions, and to build networks that support nonprofits and the communities they serve. Specific programs include the California policy forum, the nonprofit student debt project, accessing government grants, and participation in philanthropic reform activities. In 2025, calnonprofits held 40 webinars which drew a total of 15,073 participants.strengthening the government-nonprofit partnership - calnonprofits educates nonprofits about compliance with relevant regulations and works with government to streamline paperwork. Calnonprofits sponsors the annual "California nonprofits day" in sacramento, where legislators select a "nonprofit of the year" from their districts and join them for a celebratory luncheon. Calnonprofits brings elected officials and nonprofits into direct dialog through in-person and online convenings.access to resources - calnonprofits conducts and publishes research, analysis, news, and opinion via its website and e-newsletter (55,000 subscribers) to inform, educate, and keep nonprofits up to date on important issues. Calnonprofits' signature economic impact report, "causes count: the economic power of the nonprofit sector," found, for example, that California nonprofits bring $40 billion into the state each year, and that one in every 14 California jobs is at a nonprofit.discounts - calnonprofits helps members save time and money with sponsored discount services, including hr resources, printing, employee/volunteer background checks, shipping, office supplies, an online job center, it services, student borrower support, and more.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 97.3%; rating input score 97
• Program expense ratio: 83.6%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $74.98 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -12.6%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.63; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 48.3%; rating input score 1; 1st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.3% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 11.1% per year; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings