Living Branches
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 16% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TOGETHER WE EMPOWER OLDER ADULTS AND FAMILIES TO LEAD LIVES OF PURPOSE AND JOY, GUIDED BY THE MENNONITE TRADITION OF CARE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS.
- Income
- $10.8 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 16%
- Reserves
- 42.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 117
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $430,070, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 42.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 164% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1516% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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 June 30, 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)
- $613,083 spent. LIVING BRANCHES PROVIDES MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR ITS RELATED TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE FOR SENIOR ADULTS AND HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. ITS MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE PLANNING, ESTABLISHING, OPERATING, AND MAINTAINING THESE NON-PROFIT FACILITIES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTRIBUTES TO RESIDENTS' HEALTH, SECURITY, AND HAPPINESS BY OFFERING HOUSING, SERVICES, AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 1981.
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.