Lucky Duck Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Lucky Duck Foundation is to prevent and alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County.
- Income
- $8.0 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 21.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 825
- Highest pay
- $526,722, ceo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (medical research, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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)
- $5.5 million spent. HOMELESS INITIATIVE:Since 2005, the Foundation has raised funds and awareness for various charitable causes. As the achievements of the Foundation grew, so did its goals. The Foundation recognized the opportunity to concentrate its efforts in one area to make a more substantial impact. The growing homelessness epidemic in San Diego County led the Foundation to focus solely on providing aid and relief for individuals and families living on the streets of San Diego County. Since 2017, the Foundation has concentrated its fundraising efforts on supporting and activating high-impact programs dedicated to alleviating the suffering of homelessness.Year-round fundraising is crucial to the Foundations ability to support homeless outreach, advocacy organizations, supportive programs as well as facilitate the purchase of whatever is necessary to lessen the struggles associated with homelessness. For example, the Foundation created an employment and job training initiative; supported outreach programs linking people to critical services; dedicated resources to actionable research to identify best-in-class strategies; established strategic collaborations to maximize resources, expertise, and outcomes; and more. Additionally, the Foundation has purchased everything from small daily necessities included in the Community Care Kits to large-scale industrial tent structures that serve as shelters.2,300,000+ Meals distributed through our Food & Water outreach initiative to provide lifesaving calories and fresh water to thousands of unsheltered San Diegans while building trust and connecting individuals to critical services.325+ Individuals sheltered nightly in our bridge shelters, offering safe, dignified shelter every night along with case management, supportive services, and pathways toward permanent housing.21,000+ Sleeping bag coats purchased and distributed to unsheltered San Diegans to provide warmth, protection, and lifesaving comfort during cold and rainy nights.225+ Tons of trash removed via our $2 per bag "Cash for Trash program to create cleaner neighborhoods while providing immediate income opportunities that encourage engagement and connect participants to additional resources.2,500+ Individuals employed and job-trained through 25+ programs to help individuals on their path to self-sufficiency.1,000,000+ Pounds of food rescued through our homeless employment collaboration which rescues surplus food that would otherwise go to waste while creating meaningful employment opportunities and providing nutritious meals to those in need.125+ Lucky Duckling high school students participating in our award-winning youth-led movement, inspiring the next generation of compassionate leaders through volunteerism, advocacy, and hands-on service to address homelessness.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.