Knowledge Education for Your Success
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO EMPOWER LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AND UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS.BY CONNECTING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN NEED WITH HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, KEYS' GOALS ARE TO: ASSIST LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE SELFSUFFICIENCY,
- Income
- $9.7 million
- Spending
- $9.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $175,899, executive director
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: 32 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 104% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
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
0 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 (2)
- $9.7 million spent. FOUNDED IN 2009, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION FOR YOUR SUCCESS (KEYS) IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ENHANCING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR THE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. KEYS IS AN AFFILIATE NON-PROFIT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO. KEYS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFER RAPID RE-HOUSING INTERVENTION TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN ALL FOUR OF OUR RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS: SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES (SSVF), HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM (HSP), KEYS FOR LIFE (KFL), AND KEYS FOR SUCCESS (KFS). THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, CASEWORKERS IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, BARRIERS, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND WORK WITH PARTICIPANTS TO SET IMMEDIATE AND ACHIEVABLE GOALS FOR HOUSING STABILIZATION, FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD STRENGTHENING AND EMPOWERMENT. A MINIMUM OF 55% IS ALLOCATED TO DIRECT SERVICES TO THE CUSTOMER TO INCLUDE DEPOSITS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER ALLOWABLE COST FOR STABILIZATION.
- Program Service Accomplishments Housing Support Program (HSP)Expenses: ~$3.8MDescription: Provided rental assistance, deposits, and utility support to prevent homelessness for eligible families. Outputs: Direct financial assistance, case management, housing stabilization. Keys for Life (KFL) /Keys for Success (KFS)Expenses: Remaining program allocation (~$1.0M+) Description: Housing stabilization and supportive services for vulnerable populations. Outputs: Financial assistance, housing placement, case management. Total Program Expenses: $6,564,067.
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 July 2011.
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.