INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION

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Plain text INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2021–2025. https://furp.org/org/informed-california-foundation-844618329. Retrieved 2026-10-29.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2021–2025]. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/informed-california-foundation-844618329

MLA “INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION.” furp.org, tax years 2021–2025, https://furp.org/org/informed-california-foundation-844618329. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-29; covers tax years 2021–2025. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $253K · expenses $286K · assets $90K

Also known as
DBA - Open Vallejo
EIN
84-4618329
Address
490 43RD STREET SUITE 12, OAKLAND, CA 94609-2138
Website
https://openvallejo.org
NTEE code
B99
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
July 2020 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
Principal officer
Geoffrey W King (its 2020 Form 990-N)
Form 990-N e-postcards
1 filed, 2020 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

Informed California Foundations primary activity is original public service news reporting, initially in Vallejo and then in other locations in California. This explanatory and investigative reporting illuminates local and state institutions, public and private individuals holding disproportionate power, and underreported themes such as civil rights and municipal corruption. The organization features deeply researched reporting and expert analysis to ensure the public, policymakers, enforcement bodies, and other stakeholders have access to comprehensive and contextualized information on topics of relevance to the community. Informed Californias news content and method of producing the content is educational and consistent with tax requirements. The purpose of the reporting is to provide readers with sufficient information and development to aid readers in forming an independent opinion about issues of relevance and importance in the local community. This reporting and expert analysis t

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Geoffrey W King President & CEO2021-2025 $12,019$16,938 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

8 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Brendan Riley Director2024-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Dan Rubins Director2021-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Kimberly Spencer Treasurer2024-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Harlo Holmes Secretary2021-2025 1 $0 reported 1
Nick Swyter Director2025 1 $0 reported 1
Victoria Baranetsky (former) Secretary2021-2023 1 $0 reported 1
Sophia Cope (former) Director2021-2023 1 $0 reported 1
John Hamasaki (former) Director2021-2022 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $12K · 4 employees · 1 volunteer
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Geoffrey W King President & CEO40 $12,019$0$0 $12,0191
Brendan Riley Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Nick Swyter Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Dan Rubins Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Kimberly Spencer Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01
Harlo Holmes Secretary1 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $900 · 2 employees · 1 volunteer
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Geoffrey W King President40 $900$0$0 $9001
Brendan Riley Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Dan Rubins Director1 $0$0$0 $01
Kimberly Spencer Treasurer1 $0$0$0 $01
Harlo Holmes Secretary1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $150
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Geoffrey W King President40 $150-- $1501
Victoria Baranetsky Secretary1 $0-- $01
Sophia Cope Director1 $0-- $01
Harlo Holmes Director1 $0-- $01
Dan Rubins Treasurer1 $0-- $01
2022 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $150
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Geoffrey W King President40 $150-- $1501
Victoria Baranetsky Secretary1 $0-- $01
Sophia Cope Director1 $0-- $01
John Hamasaki Director1 $0-- $01
Harlo Holmes Director1 $0-- $01
Dan Rubins Treasurer1 $0-- $01
2021 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $4K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Geoffrey W King President & CEO40 $0-$3,719 $3,7191
Victoria Baranetsky Secretary16 $0-- $01
Sophia Cope Board Member8 $0-- $01
John Hamasaki Board Member16 $0-- $01
Harlo Holmes Board Member16 $0-- $01
Dan Rubins Treasurer16 $0-- $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$252,646$285,645 $90,180$37,382 $248,526$0 $12,01941
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$254,981$195,651 $124,678$69,701 $252,246$0 $90021
2023 · Form 990EZ period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$190,228$175,129 $39,035$9,911 $188,255- ---
2022 · Form 990EZ period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$173,431$224,367 $18,025-$4,048 $173,110- ---
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-12-31 · amended · view filing · original 990 ↗
$149,179$119,105 $52,045$43,521 $149,078- ---
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-12-31 · superseded · view filing · original 990 ↗
$149,179$119,105 $52,045$43,521 $149,078- ---

Funders of this organization

13 grantors reported grants to this organization, $512,870 in all, tax years 2020 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
PRO PUBLICA INC Public charity Exact 2021-2022 2$115,320 2022$46,128
show
LOCAL INDEPENDENT ONLINE NEWS PUBLISHERS INC Public charity Exact 2021-2024 4$109,000 2024$20,000
show
THE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor Exact 2021-2025 5$94,036 2025$23,020
show
JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “Informed California Foundation” 2022-2024 4$60,000 2024$7,800
show
MUCKROCK FOUNDATION INCORPORATED Public charity Exact 2024-2025 2$31,000 2025$15,500
show
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor Exact 2024-2025 2$30,514 2025$20,840
show
INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS Public charity Exact 2024 1$20,000 2024$20,000
show
ALTERNATIVE NEWSWEEKLY FOUNDATION Public charity Exact 2023 1$20,000 2023$20,000
show
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$10,000 2021$10,000
show
FUND FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM INC Public charity Exact 2020 1$10,000 2020$10,000
show
NEO PHILANTHROPY INC Public charity Exact 2023 1$7,500 2023$7,500
show
FORGOOD INC DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$5,466 2021$5,466
show
AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION” 2021-2023 3$34 2023$24
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
TAIWAN CENTER FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIACAB99 $301,969$212,413 Director$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state, similar name
CALO GLOBAL FOUNDATIONCAB99 $257,358$242,908 PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON THE EDUCATION OF TEACHERSCAB99 $306,885$337,542 SECRETARYTREASURER$42,038 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CALIFORNIA EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATIONCAB99 $234,398$240,141 VICE PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE FOUNDATIONCAB99 $236,740$256,812 FOUNDATION MANAGER (UNTIL MAY '25)$189,811 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SHEEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONCAB99 $297,774$377,560 CHAIR, BD DIRCT$49,998 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ASSURANCE SCIENCES FOUNDATIONCAB99 $228,824$202,593 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SOCCER REFEREES ASSOCIATION VENTURA CHAPTERCAB99 $220,868$215,650 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
PROREMM CORPORATIONCAB99 $227,804$254,372 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
THE KENNEDY HEALING LOVE FOUNDATIONCAB99 $205,527$210,263 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION OF SAN FRANCISCOCAB99 $209,755$270,401 Executive Dir.$159,499 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WILLIE L BROWN JR CENTER ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICECAB99 $278,169$455,190 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$115,566 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CHE CAFE COLLECTIVECAB99 $214,327$161,107 Core Member$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
DIVAS IN POWER INCCAB99 $318,682$269,266 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
NORTH AMERICAN JAPANESE GARDEN ASSOCIATIONCAB99 $314,474$306,853 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
VENTURA CHAPTERNATIONALASSOCIATIONOFWATC INCCAB99 $305,088$283,437 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
COLORS RAINBOW INCCAB99 $280,004$131 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
LAURENCE C GAEBE FAMILY FOUNDATION INCCAB99 $222,143$29,124 CFO$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CREATIVE KIDS EDUCATION FOUNDATIONCAB99 $284,482$331,589 President$182,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
FARMS TO GROW INCCAB99 $233,104$190,975 Director$71,500 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
LOS GATOS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONCAB99 $233,078$352,960 TRUSTEE$6,866 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MAS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONCAB99 $289,811$131,989 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
EXHIBIT ENVOY INCCAB99 $227,312$189,450 Executive Dir.$70,685 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
BRUCE CHURCH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONCAB99 $297,087$101,744 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
NEWPORT-MESA HIGH SCHOOL SAILING FOUNDATIONCAB99 $284,084$253,059 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$2,592,99275 282016–2024 RUCKUS SOCIETY INC; CAREER GIRLS; OFF-GRID RETREATS; FARMS TO GROW INC and 24 more
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$1,453,99039 182014–2024 CAREER GIRLS; RUCKUS SOCIETY INC; TAIWAN CENTER FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA; CHICO CHILDRENS MUSEUM and 14 more
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$1,430,00012 52014–2024 SENECA FOUNDATION INC; RUCKUS SOCIETY INC; 100 FRIENDS; FOUNDATION FOR ITALIAN ART AND CULTURE and 1 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC funds this one DAF sponsor$1,198,37950 182019–2025 SILVER OAK EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP INC; IGDA FOUNDATION; INSPIRASIAN; RAYMOND J FISHER HOME AND SCHOOL CLUB INC and 14 more
FORGOOD INC funds this one DAF sponsor$796,80628 52010–2024 100 FRIENDS; LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE FOUNDATION; IMPACT BAY AREA; ELIJA FOUNDATION INC and 1 more
IMPACTASSETS INC DAF sponsor$795,7507 12020–2024 RUCKUS SOCIETY INC
ALFRED P SLOAN FOUNDATION Private foundation$735,8303 12022–2024 LOST WOMEN OF SCIENCE INITIATIVE INC
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORANGE COUNTY DAF sponsor$551,44812 12013–2025 ORANGE COUNTY JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOLAR PROGRAM
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$504,54511 22009–2024 ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION OF SAN FRANCISCO; NORTH AMERICAN JAPANESE GARDEN ASSOCIATION
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM funds this one DAF sponsor$483,40010 62020–2024 HEALTHY KIDS HAPPY PLANET; OFF-GRID RETREATS; RUCKUS SOCIETY INC; SPECIAL DELIVERY-SAN DIEGO and 2 more
FLOCK INC Private foundation$475,0005 12019–2023 RUCKUS SOCIETY INC
GORDON E AND BETTY I MOORE FOUNDATION Private foundation$446,7601 12021–2021 LOST WOMEN OF SCIENCE INITIATIVE INC
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor$400,0706 32018–2024 26 2 FOUNDATION INC; TESFA FOUNDATION; YALLWEST
FOUNDATION FOR A JUST SOCIETY Private foundation$335,0002 12024–2024 COLORS RAINBOW INC
RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND DAF sponsor$290,0002 12023–2024 EDU CARE FOUNDATION INC

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2025 · Form 990 · $285,645 spent · pay $210,213 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $154,154$154,026$128- 54.0%
Other employee benefits $32,882$32,882-- 11.5%
Office expenses $16,568$16,320$248- 5.8%
Insurance $12,722$641$12,081- 4.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $12,019$12,019-- 4.2%
Payroll taxes $11,158$11,158-- 3.9%
Travel $9,265$9,265-- 3.2%
Fees: other services $7,358$7,358-- 2.6%
Other (as described)Dues & Subscriptions $6,224$5,022-$1,202 2.2%
Advertising and promotion $5,234$3,007-$2,227 1.8%
Other (as described)Reimbursable Expenses $4,789$4,789-- 1.7%
Fees: legal $4,140$4,140-- 1.4%
Occupancy $3,670$3,175$495- 1.3%
All other expenses $2,289$1,968$321- 0.8%
Other (as described)Taxes and Licenses $1,750$1,750-- 0.6%
Other (as described)Meals & Entertainment $1,243$1,243-- 0.4%
Fees: accounting $184-$184- 0.1%
Interest -$4--$4- -0.0%
Total$285,645100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $195,651 spent · pay $124,621 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $92,050$92,050-- 47.0%
Other employee benefits $24,585$24,564$21- 12.6%
Office expenses $16,394$15,940$45$409 8.4%
Insurance $12,862$181$12,681- 6.6%
Advertising and promotion $10,358$3,617-$6,741 5.3%
Travel $7,909$7,909-- 4.0%
Payroll taxes $7,086$7,086-- 3.6%
Occupancy $5,123$553$4,570- 2.6%
Fees: other services $3,288$3,184$104- 1.7%
All other expenses $3,154$3,032$122- 1.6%
Fees: legal $2,939$2,939-- 1.5%
Other (as described)Job Supplies $2,895$2,895-- 1.5%
Other (as described)Dues & Subscriptions $2,073$1,922$151- 1.1%
Other (as described)Misc Expenses $1,692$1,692-- 0.9%
Other (as described)Meals & Entertainment $1,252$1,252-- 0.6%
Fees: accounting $1,035$900$135- 0.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $900$900-- 0.5%
Interest $56$60-$4- 0.0%
Total$195,651100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990EZ · $175,129 spent · pay $98,874 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $98,874 56.5%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $53,249 30.4%
Fees to independent contractors $17,931 10.2%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $4,659 2.7%
Printing, publications, postage $416 0.2%
Total$175,129100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990EZ · $224,367 spent · pay $154,977 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $154,977 69.1%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $53,247 23.7%
Fees to independent contractors $12,048 5.4%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $4,080 1.8%
Printing, publications, postage $15 0.0%
Total$224,367100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990EZ · $119,105 spent · pay $73,637 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $73,637 61.8%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $32,916 27.6%
Fees to independent contractors $10,698 9.0%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $1,854 1.6%
Total$119,105100%

View the filing

State business registration

The same business name in the same state, from the state’s official registry data.

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