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East County Transitional Living Center Inc

EIN 27-0865318 · El Cajon, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND RESTORE LIVES.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
31
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$125,000, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. WORK THERAPYINCOME IS GENERATED BY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PARTICIPANTS WORKING FOR AGENCIES THAT HAVE CONTRACTED WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR LABOR. IN RETURN FOR THEIR LABOR, THE CONTRACTED AGENCIES PROVIDE A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORGANIZATION. THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE ACCRUED TO THE PERIOD THE LABOR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
  2. EMERGENCY SHELTERTHE ORGANIZATION HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY OF EL CAJON TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER TO FAMILIES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES THESE SERVICES BASED ON A CONTRACTED DAILY RATE AND RECOGNIZES THE REVENUES AS THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
  3. $5.1 million spent. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FAMILY RESTORATION PROGRAM: ECTLC OFFERS A CHRIST-CENTERED, MINIMUM ONE-YEAR PROGRAM TO RESTORE FAMILIES TO WHOLENESS, TO HELP MOMS, DADS & CHILDREN HEAL. SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN ARE IMMEDIATELY REGISTERED FOR SCHOOL. PARENTS ATTEND BIBLE STUDIES, SCRIPTURE-BASED PARENTING CLASSES, ANGER MANAGEMENT AND BIBLE-BASED DRUG & ALCOHOL RECOVERY MEETINGS. WE OFFER G.E.D. PREPARATION CLASSES, AND ACCESS TO OUR RESOURCE CENTER TO PREPARE RESUMES, PRACTICE JOB INTERVIEWS, AND SEARCH FOR WORK ONLINE. WE WILL HELP FAMILIES WITHOUT VEHICLES GET TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, COURT DATES, CHILD WELFARE AND CHILD CUSTODY MEETINGS.THE ECTLC MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM: IS A ONE YEAR CHRIST-CENTERED PROGRAM THAT WILL GUIDE HOMELESS MEN TO FIND NEW HOPE AND A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, FREE FROM HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTION. THE REQUIREMENT TO ENTER THIS PROGRAM IS A SINCERE DESIRE TO BE FREE FROM THE OLD LIFE, AND BE WILLING TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST. OUR CENTER IS LOCATED ON 12 ACRES IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF DULZURA WHERE MEN WILL SPEND THEIR FIRST THREEE MONTHS IN THE PROGRAM. FREE FROM THE TEMPTATIONS OF LIFE, THEY ARE TAUGHT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR CHOICES AND, THROUGH THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY CAN NOW SAY "NO" TO THESE TEMPTATIONS. AFTER 90 DAYS, MEN ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO OUR MAIN CAMPUS IN EL CAJON TO COMPLETE THEIR PROGRAM TRAINING, WHICH INCLUDE WORK THERAPY, GED CLASSES, RECOVERY PROGRAMS, JOB SEARCH AND OTHER LIFE SKILLS. UPON GRADUATION, THESE MEN WILL BE EMPLOYED, SHELTERED AND READY TO RE-ENTER OUR COMMUNITIES AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS.WOMEN'S DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM: OFFERS WOMEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THEIR SHATTERED LIVES AROUND THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST. THE WOMEN'S HOME IS IN AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN FLINN SPRINGS. THEY WILL REMAIN THERE FOR 90 DAYS AS THEY HEAL AND CONNECT WITH THE OTHER WOMEN, SEPARATED FROM THEIR OLD NEIGHBORHOODS AND ACQUAINTANCES, TOSSING OFF THE BAGGAGE THAT ACCOMPANIES HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION AND UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. WHEN THEY GRADUATE TO THE MAIN CAMPUS IN EL CAJON, THEY WILL UTILIZE THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR-LONG PROGRAM TO LEARN THE LIFE SKILLS NEEDED TO RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY.THE TRANSFORMATIONS MADE IN THEIR LIVES WILL HAVE A LASTING BENEFICIAL IMPACT, NOT ONLY ON THEIR CHILDREN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. THEY WILL BE LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.