California Emerging Technology Fund

California Emerging Technology Fund consistently spends more than it earns, drawing down significant assets over recent years.

EIN: 205184429 · Concord, CA · NTEE: S19 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$3.9MRevenue

$12.1MAssets

65/100Mission Score (Good)

S19

About California Emerging Technology Fund

California Emerging Technology Fund (EIN: 205184429) is a nonprofit organization based in Concord, CA, classified under NTEE code S19. The organization reported total revenue of $3.9M and total assets of $12.1M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of California Emerging Technology Fund's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) exhibits a highly variable financial history, with significant fluctuations in revenue and expenses over the past decade. For instance, revenue spiked to $35,210,093 in 2020 and $32,768,095 in 2017, contrasting sharply with much lower figures in other years, such as $253,401 in 2021 and $69,936 in 2019. This volatility suggests reliance on large, infrequent grants or specific funding cycles rather than consistent annual income. Despite these revenue swings, expenses have generally trended upwards, from $4,167,849 in 2016 to $10,591,270 in 2024, often exceeding revenue in many periods, leading to a draw-down of assets. The organization's assets have decreased significantly from a high of $50,477,526 in 2020 to $18,788,602 in 2024, indicating that it has been spending down its reserves. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests strong financial transparency regarding executive pay, as it indicates either no paid officers or that compensation is covered by other entities, which would warrant further investigation for full clarity.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates California Emerging Technology Fund with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 15%
programs: 80%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, California Emerging Technology Fund allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

Executive compensation is consistently reported as 0% across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization with expenses often exceeding $5 million annually. This suggests either that officers are unpaid volunteers, or their compensation is covered by a related entity, which would require further disclosure to fully assess.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of California Emerging Technology Fund's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent negative net income (expenses exceeding revenue) in most recent years, leading to asset depletion.
Significant decline in assets from $50.4M in 2020 to $18.7M in 2024.
Highly volatile revenue streams, making financial planning and sustainability challenging.
Unusual 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure true administrative costs if paid by a related party.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for California Emerging Technology Fund:

Historically strong asset base, though currently declining.
Significant program spending capacity when large grants are received, as evidenced by high expense levels.
Clear reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating transparency on that specific line item.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Emerging Technology Fund

Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% despite significant organizational expenses?

The consistent 0% officer compensation across all filings is unusual for an organization of this size and expense level. It suggests either a volunteer-led executive team or that executive salaries are paid by a related entity, which would impact the true administrative cost and warrants further inquiry.

What is the source of the highly variable revenue, and is it sustainable?

Revenue has fluctuated wildly, with major spikes in 2017 ($32.7M) and 2020 ($35.2M) followed by much lower figures. Understanding the nature of these large grants or funding cycles is crucial for assessing future financial stability.

How does CETF plan to address the consistent trend of expenses exceeding revenue?

In most recent years, expenses have significantly outpaced revenue (e.g., $10.5M expenses vs. $2.6M revenue in 2024). This trend has led to a substantial reduction in assets, raising questions about long-term financial viability if not reversed.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for California Emerging Technology Fund showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2012–2024), California Emerging Technology Fund's revenue has declined by 49.7%, moving from $5.3M to $2.7M. Total assets decreased by 41% over the same period, from $31.8M to $18.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 70.9%, from $6.2M to $10.6M. In its most recent filing year (2024), California Emerging Technology Fund reported a deficit of $7.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $408K in liabilities against $18.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 2.2%), resulting in net assets of $18.4M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2024	$2.7M	$10.6M	$18.8M	$408K	—	View 990
2023	$3.6M	$9.5M	$27.1M	$893K	—	View 990
2022	$1.2M	$9.6M	$35.3M	$3.1M	—	View 990
2021	$253K	$7.9M	$44.2M	$3.6M	—	View 990
2020	$35.2M	$8.2M	$50.5M	$2.3M	—	View 990
2019	$70K	$6.5M	$22.9M	$1.7M	—	View 990
2018	$56K	$6.4M	$28.9M	$1.2M	—	—
2017	$32.8M	$5.5M	$34.7M	$759K	—	View 990
2016	$447K	$4.2M	$8.3M	$1.5M	—	View 990
2015	$532K	$4.2M	$14.4M	$3.6M	—	View 990
2014	$408K	$7.2M	$20.3M	$5.4M	—	View 990
2013	$2.2M	$9.2M	$26.2M	$4.2M	—	View 990
2012	$5.3M	$6.2M	$31.8M	$2.4M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2024: Revenue of $2.7M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $18.8M (revenue -25.5% year-over-year).
2023: Revenue of $3.6M, expenses of $9.5M, and assets of $27.1M (revenue +186.2% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $9.6M, and assets of $35.3M (revenue +392.9% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $253K, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $44.2M (revenue -99.3% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $35.2M, expenses of $8.2M, and assets of $50.5M (revenue +50246.2% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $70K, expenses of $6.5M, and assets of $22.9M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $28.9M (revenue -99.8% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $32.8M, expenses of $5.5M, and assets of $34.7M (revenue +7233.2% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $447K, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $8.3M (revenue -16.1% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $532K, expenses of $4.2M, and assets of $14.4M (revenue +30.4% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $408K, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $20.3M (revenue -81.2% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $9.2M, and assets of $26.2M (revenue -58.9% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $6.2M, and assets of $31.8M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for California Emerging Technology Fund is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.