Life Frames Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LFI offers practical processes and imaginative solutions resulting in ecological land use planning, landscape architecture, participatory design with multiple, systemically linked, interactive, community and school programs, which also function as community and economic development for the area, resulting in transformation of the community.
- Income
- $333,537
- Spending
- $338,387
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $46,514, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $304,547 spent. Executive Leadership & Organizational Turnaround Under the leadership of Executive Director China Bushell, Life Frames Inc. successfully completed the OMI/Excelsior Nature Walkwaya major infrastructure project that had been stalled for over three years. Within just six months, the ED and staff: oPartnered with Alrie Middlebrook, who redesigned the nature pathway with native and pollinator plants oOversaw full construction and planting of the walkway oSecured $450,000 in reimbursements within three months, stabilizing the nonprofits finances and allowing the projects completion. Youth Workforce & Education Impact Supported over 70 underserved youth ages 1524 in paid internships and stipended leadership positions across New York and San Francisco. Delivered green jobs training through hands-on work in garden maintenance, landscape design, and sustainability education. Partnered with OFA, MYEEP, SFYWs, and JCYC to provide wraparound services and equitable employment pathways. Community Engagement & Environmental Education Facilitated weekly youth gardening classes rooted in Indigenous ecological knowledge, especially from the Ohlone tradition. Continued Vegetable & Me classes for seniors on Roosevelt Island, emphasizing therapeutic horticulture, nutrition, and community building. Piloted a youth food initiative providing healthy snacks and meals to underserved SF students, addressing the gap left by citywide funding cuts.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.