INFORMED CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION
Cite this
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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President & CEO | 2021-2025 | $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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Riley | Director | 2024-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Director | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Kimberly Spencer | Treasurer | 2024-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Secretary | 2021-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Nick Swyter | Director | 2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Victoria Baranetsky (former) | Secretary | 2021-2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Sophia Cope (former) | Director | 2021-2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| John Hamasaki (former) | Director | 2021-2022 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $12K · 4 employees · 1 volunteer
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President & CEO | 40 | $12,019 | $0 | $0 | $12,019 | 1 |
| Brendan Riley | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Nick Swyter | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Kimberly Spencer | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Secretary | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $900 · 2 employees · 1 volunteer
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President | 40 | $900 | $0 | $0 | $900 | 1 |
| Brendan Riley | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Kimberly Spencer | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Secretary | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $150
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President | 40 | $150 | - | - | $150 | 1 |
| Victoria Baranetsky | Secretary | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Sophia Cope | Director | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Director | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $150
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President | 40 | $150 | - | - | $150 | 1 |
| Victoria Baranetsky | Secretary | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Sophia Cope | Director | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| John Hamasaki | Director | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Director | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $4K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey W King | President & CEO | 40 | $0 | - | $3,719 | $3,719 | 1 |
| Victoria Baranetsky | Secretary | 16 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Sophia Cope | Board Member | 8 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| John Hamasaki | Board Member | 16 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Harlo Holmes | Board Member | 16 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Dan Rubins | Treasurer | 16 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
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.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $252,646 | $285,645 | $90,180 | $37,382 | $248,526 | $0 | $12,019 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $254,981 | $195,651 | $124,678 | $69,701 | $252,246 | $0 | $900 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $190,228 | $175,129 | $39,035 | $9,911 | $188,255 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $173,431 | $224,367 | $18,025 | -$4,048 | $173,110 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $149,179 | $119,105 | $52,045 | $43,521 | $149,078 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $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
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAIWAN CENTER FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | CA | B99 | $301,969 | $212,413 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state, similar name |
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| CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON THE EDUCATION OF TEACHERS | CA | B99 | $306,885 | $337,542 | SECRETARYTREASURER | $42,038 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CALIFORNIA EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION | CA | B99 | $234,398 | $240,141 | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| SHEEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $297,774 | $377,560 | CHAIR, BD DIRCT | $49,998 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ASSURANCE SCIENCES FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $228,824 | $202,593 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SOCCER REFEREES ASSOCIATION VENTURA CHAPTER | CA | B99 | $220,868 | $215,650 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| WILLIE L BROWN JR CENTER ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE | CA | B99 | $278,169 | $455,190 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $115,566 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CHE CAFE COLLECTIVE | CA | B99 | $214,327 | $161,107 | Core Member | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| DIVAS IN POWER INC | CA | B99 | $318,682 | $269,266 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NORTH AMERICAN JAPANESE GARDEN ASSOCIATION | CA | B99 | $314,474 | $306,853 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| VENTURA CHAPTERNATIONALASSOCIATIONOFWATC INC | CA | B99 | $305,088 | $283,437 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COLORS RAINBOW INC | CA | B99 | $280,004 | $131 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LAURENCE C GAEBE FAMILY FOUNDATION INC | CA | B99 | $222,143 | $29,124 | CFO | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CREATIVE KIDS EDUCATION FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $284,482 | $331,589 | President | $182,000 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| LOS GATOS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $233,078 | $352,960 | TRUSTEE | $6,866 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MAS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $289,811 | $131,989 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| EXHIBIT ENVOY INC | CA | B99 | $227,312 | $189,450 | Executive Dir. | $70,685 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BRUCE CHURCH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $297,087 | $101,744 | Treasurer | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NEWPORT-MESA HIGH SCHOOL SAILING FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $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).
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
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $285,645 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $195,651 spent · pay $124,621 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $195,651 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990EZ · $175,129 spent · pay $98,874 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $175,129 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990EZ · $224,367 spent · pay $154,977 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $224,367 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990EZ · $119,105 spent · pay $73,637 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $119,105 | 100% |
State business registration
- Informed California Foundation DC, Foreign Nonprofit Corporation, Withdrawn, formed 2023-02-28
The same business name in the same state, from the state’s official registry data.
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