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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 95-2594166 · CA · Fiscal year FY ending Jun 2025

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“The mission of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation is to provide for the socioeconomic betterment of the greater Latino community of California, while preserving the pride, values and heritage of the Mexican American culture.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$336K Virginia Santos, 0.2% of spending
Revenue
$206.8M 98.8% from donations and grants
Spent
$204.6M 94.3% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$23.2M end of FY ending Jun 2025
Savings
1.4 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
886 employees, 900 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Jun 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 94.3¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
94.3¢
Programs, $192.9M
0.0¢
Fundraising, $0K
5.7¢
Admin, $11.8M
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
0¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation spent 0¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $204.3M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 14.1% of program spending $27.2M

MAOF operates a Pre-School Early Learning Program funded by the California Department of Education. This program offers a developmental curriculum for pre-kindergarten children between the ages of 3 and 5. This program enhances the children's physical, mental, social and cultural awareness including a parent involvement component in the child's education as well as other social services. Total number of Pre-School children enrolled in FY 2024-25 was 1,018.

Program 2 · 13.4% of program spending $25.8M

MAOF operates the Head Start program, funded by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the Office of Head Start, to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. MAOF also offers Early Head Start services (EHS) designed to serve children 0-3 years old in partnership with MAOFs Child Care and Pre-School programs with CDE. EHS children and families receive mental health, health, nutrition, disabilities,…

Program 3 · 11% of program spending $21.1M

MAOF offers other programs and services to its targeted population funded by various non-governmental organizations. These include: (a) Early Head Start program through the Volunteers of America of Los Angeles;(b) Financial services assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation to provide financial assistance services to low-income families to help them increase their earnings and income, reduce financial transaction costs, and generate new wealth for themselves and their communities; (c) Seniors Services; (d) Financial Literacy; (e) Assets Building program; (f) Volunteer Income Tax…

Program 4 · 7.8% of program spending $15.1M

The CalWORKs Stage One Program at MAOF is funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. The program is a subsidized child care program for eligible families on CalWORKs (cash assistance) or when a family starts receiving CalWORKs cash aid. CalWORKs clients may be served in Stage One, ideally within a period of six months, or until the County determines that the family situation is stable, or if no funds are available in Stage Two. Former CalWORKs clients are also eligible to receive child care services in Stage One and/or Stage Two for a total of no more than 24…

Program 5 · 6.7% of program spending $13.0M

MAOF provides comprehensive Child Care and Development Services funded by the California Department of Social Services to children in designated service areas whose parents are either recipient of child protective services, seeking employment or vocational training, or incapacitated. Its child care centers use the High Scope Curriculum to create a nurturing environment that promotes the development of physical, mental, cognitive, and social skills. Children accepted in these programs are: infants 0-18 months, toddlers 18-36 months, and preschoolers 3-5 years. Total number of children served…

Program 6 · 2.2% of program spending $4.3M

MAOFs Infant and Toddler program (Family Child Care Home) funded by the California Department of Social Services provides subsidized child care for children ages 0-3. It is a parental-choice program allowing the parent to choose from a network of educational child care home settings which best meet the parents needs. Total number of children served in FY 2024-25: 486.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $7.8M to $23.2M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
8
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
17
16
17
23
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Jun 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Virginia Santos
COO
$335,722
Dr Ciriaco Pinedo
President & CEO
$328,583
Claudia Rufino
Chief Hr Off.
$262,678
Kristan Venegas
Chief Lde Off.
$239,808
Catherine Lugtu
Director - Finance
$182,459
Caren Chen
Director - Finance
$180,682
Sonia Guerrero
VP-Child Care
$167,631
Sarkisyan Jazmin
VP Programs-Svcs
$147,251
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Rose Nichols Dba Cumorah KidsChild care services$661,803
Creative Beginnings Infant Toddler CenterChild care services$571,675
Hermelinda AnayaChild care services$323,083
Irma Alonso Dba Alonso Family Child CareChild care services$280,873
Jorge Garcia Dba Happy Time EducationChild care services$273,348
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation CEO make?

Virginia Santos, COO, received $335,722 in reportable compensation in FY ending Jun 2025, 0.2% of Mexican American Opportunity Foundation's $204.6M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII

What percentage of Mexican American Opportunity Foundation donations go to programs?

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation reported 94.3% of FY ending Jun 2025 spending as programs, 0% as fundraising and 5.7% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX

How much money does Mexican American Opportunity Foundation have?

Net assets were $23.2M at the end of FY ending Jun 2025, about 1.4 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part X

Does Mexican American Opportunity Foundation have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Form 990, FY ending Jun 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. Mexican American Opportunity Foundation Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “Mexican American Opportunity Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/mexican-american-opportunity-foundation/