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IRS-authorized e-file provider · not the IRS

Nonprofit · EIN 92-2619177

POLLEN INITIATIVE

Tax-exempt · SACRAMENTO, CA 95811

Financials

$400K$453K2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of POLLEN INITIATIVE by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
June 30, 2025990$399,669$452,639-$52,970$182,291$26,380$155,911
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$357,506
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$0
Net income from fundraising events
$42,163
Other revenue
$42,163

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$223,939
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$223,939
Professional fundraising fees
$10,800
Accounting fees
$9,241
Occupancy
$12,844
Travel
$15,858
Program services (functional)
$338,783
Management and general (functional)
$41,203
Fundraising (functional)
$72,653

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$232,177
Total assets, end of year
$182,291
Total liabilities, end of year
$26,380
Net assets, end of year
$155,911
Net assets without donor restrictions
$155,911
Gross unrelated business income
$42,163
Gross receipts
$405,919
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Year formed
2023
State of legal domicile
CA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jesse VasquezJesse Vasquez Executive Director
Officer
40$0
Kate McQueenEditorial Director
Officer
40$0
Veronica RoseboroughCommunications Coordinator
Key employee
40$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1401 21ST ST SUITE R, SACRAMENTO, CA 95811-5226
In care of
% JESSE VASQUEZ
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Jesse Vasquez, 1401 21ST ST STE R, SACRAMENTO, CA 95811
Signed the 990
Jesse Vasquez, Executive Director

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 92-2619177 or by the name POLLEN INITIATIVE.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Mission

Pollen Initiatives mission is to cultivate media centers inside prisons so that incarcerated people can tell their own stories and influence public understanding of the criminal justice system. Through programs such as the San Quentin News the CCWF Media Center and Paper Trail publication and in-prison film and journalism training Pollen equips incarcerated individuals with professional reporting and multimedia skills. These activities foster dialogue empower system-impacted voices and create sustainable platforms for humanizing and reforming how society views incarceration.

990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • San Quentin News the pioneering incarcerated-run news outlet operates within San Quentin State Prison offering a platform for individuals in custody to produce a wide array of journalistic content including a monthly newspaper video news and digital features. This initiative not only fosters professional journalism skills through training and mentorship but also facilitates access to technology enabling participants to delve into criminal justice matters from an insiders viewpoint. With a track record of over 160 published issues involving 600 incarcerated contributors and securing more than 20 journalism accolades the program stands out for its notable achievement of zero recidivism among its alumni. By empowering individuals with media expertise and a public voice San Quentin News endeavors to humanize incarcerated individuals spark meaningful conversations about incarceration and advocate for policy reforms.
    Expenses $218,547
  • In 2024 Pollen Initiative launched the first full media center inside a U.S. womens prison at the Central California Womens Facility CCWF. Through a 16-week journalism guild and ongoing editorial mentorship incarcerated women receive hands-on training in writing editing and ethical reporting. The centers flagship publication Paper Trail circulates inside the prison and to outside audiences amplifying the voices of incarcerated women and bringing attention to issues such as family separation health care and reentry. This program expands Pollens core mission to a new population empowering participants with communication skills and a lasting professional portfolio.
    Expenses $114,114
  • Pollen Initiative supports Wall City a documentary arts magazine created by San Quentin News writers and operates an in-prison film training program. Participants learn storyboarding camera work editing and production ethics creating short films and multimedia projects that document life inside. These opportunities provide professional creative skills foster self-expression and give the broader public an authentic visual record of prison conditions and personal transformation.
    Expenses $6,122
  • Pollen Initiative revived the historic American Penal Press Contest to recognize excellence in prison journalism nationwide. First held from 1965 to 1991 the contest now accepts submissions from incarcerated reporters and prison newspapers across the country awarding prizes in categories such as investigative reporting feature writing and visual storytelling. By celebrating best practices and elevating outstanding work the contest builds professional standards inspires innovation and strengthens a national network of incarcerated journalists dedicated to credible and reform-minded reporting.0
  • To scale its impact Pollen Initiative is developing the Pollen Playbook a practical guide for launching incarcerated-led media centers in correctional facilities nationwide. The playbook distills lessons from years of on-the-ground experience into a replicable framework covering training curriculum editorial standards and operational logistics. Coupled with ongoing mentorship and infrastructure support for new and existing prison newsrooms this initiative ensures that incarcerated voices can be heard well beyond the organizations direct program sites.0

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025June 30, 2026November 16, 2026Not due yet
2024June 30, 2025November 17, 2025990 on file
2023June 30, 2024November 15, 2024Check at the IRS

IRS record

EIN
92-2619177
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2024
Accounting year ends
June
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$182,291
Income (IRS master file)
$405,919

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990June 2025$399,669$452,639$182,291IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 92-2619177).

Questions about POLLEN INITIATIVE

What is the EIN of POLLEN INITIATIVE?
The employer identification number (EIN) of POLLEN INITIATIVE is 92-2619177.
Is POLLEN INITIATIVE tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2024.
Are donations to POLLEN INITIATIVE tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does POLLEN INITIATIVE file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of POLLEN INITIATIVE due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did POLLEN INITIATIVE last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
Who is the principal officer of POLLEN INITIATIVE?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Jesse Vasquez.
Who are the officers and directors of POLLEN INITIATIVE?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 3 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
How much revenue does POLLEN INITIATIVE have?
On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $399,669, expenses of $452,639 and total assets of $182,291 at year end.

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