Substance Abuse Prevention Team of Essex County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of the Prevention Team is to support Essex County individuals and communities in their pursuit of healthy lifestyles and environments free from the negative effects of substance misuse and other addictive behaviors by providing relevant, science-based services and recovery supports in both school and community settings for all ages.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 76%
- Employees
- 21
- Highest pay
- $84,035, 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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 63% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% 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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
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
0 of 10Did not give 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)
- $841,344 spent. Organization applies principles of Prevention Science and Recovery principles to address the evolving factors that contribute to substance misuse, addiction, and other behavioral health challenges across the lifespan. Guided by current research on trauma, (ACEs), toxic stress, and risk/protective factors; our Educators, Counselors, and Recovery Coaches work alongside schools, families, and community partners to strengthen resilience and promote well-being throughout Essex County. Addiction rarely exists in isolation & emerges at the intersection of multiple social, environmental, and personal challenges-poverty, mental health concerns, family instability, violence, discrimination, grief, and limited access to opportunity. By addressing these interconnected factors through evidence-based prevention strategies, we are responding to the pressing public health and social challenges of our time, including substance and alcohol misuse, suicide, bullying, chronic disease, violence and exploitation, incarceration, school disengagement/dropout, problem gam(bl)ing, technology addiction, accidental overdoses, alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, and the lasting effects of trauma and loss. Through prevention education, youth development, family strengthening, community engagement, and recovery support services, we help create environments where healthy choices and positive outcomes are more attainable. Our team changes life trajectories by addressing the root causes of addiction and strengthens protective factors across Essex County.
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 October 13, 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 December 1993.
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 October 21, 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.