California Competes
Established in 2011, our mission is to help transform the state's higher education system into an engine of economic opportunity that empowers all californians, particularly those from underserved communities, to achieve their full potential.
California Competes at a glance
In short: California Competes gave $260K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $260K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $259,750
- -7.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -66.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $259,750
- +177.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $259,750
- Total assets
- $4,082,741
- +6.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who California Competes funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Education Trust Inc ($260K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $260K (2025) to $281K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $260K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Education Trust Inc Washington, DC | Student Parent Coalition | $259,750 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,082,741 | $2,794,142 | $2,520,719 | $259,750 | 1 | $73,144 |
| 2024 | $3,824,164 | $4,012,820 | $2,140,217 | $281,073 | 3 | $19,529 |
| 2023 | $1,887,638 | $2,169,128 | $380,761 | — | — | $3,898 |
About California Competes
Based on IRS filings
California Competes is a public charity focused on Education, based in Oakland, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $260K. Net investment income was $73K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
California Competes is led by Su Jin Jez, CEO on every filing since 2023; 6 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Su Jin Jez
CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$155K (2024) → $255K (2025)
Elizabeth Hill
Chair
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Johnson
Policy Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Carolyn Ho
Director of Communications & Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Kim Bernet
CFO & Vice President
Vice President, Ops & Finance → CFO & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $160K (2025)
David Radwin
Senior Researcher
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $149K (2025)
Laura Bernhard
Senior Researcher
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024) → $146K (2025)
Carl Cohn
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Liu
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Cabaldon
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Scott
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Lopez
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lenny Mendonca
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Weber
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger Niello
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Koblik
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Gross
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keely Martin Bosler
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leroy Morishita
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Libby Schaaf
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Aida Alvarez (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Libby Schaaf (2023) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $255K, to Su Jin JEZ (CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Competes
How much does California Competes give each year?
California Competes gave $260K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $281K across 3 grants.
How large is California Competes?
California Competes reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What is California Competes?
California Competes is a public charity focused on Education, based in Oakland, CA. It holds $4.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does California Competes operate?
California Competes has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia.
What is California Competes's EIN?
California Competes's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-2393598. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 19, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work California Competes funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Competes's focus areas in our free grants database
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—
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Figures come from California Competes's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California Competes down — hundreds of funders to go?