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Passes our checks

J J S Legacy

EIN 27-3546375 · Bakersfield, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Jj's Legacy is to honor Jeffrey Johns by educating Kern County residents on the value and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation, increasing the number of registered donors, and providing compassionate support to donor and recipient families.

Income
$371,178
Spending
$441,900
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$89,303, ed/secretary

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $226,264 spent. To provide education and awareness regarding the importance of Organ and Tissue donation and to support donor and recipient families of Kern County on their prospective journeys.In addition, JJ's Legacy has created comfort rooms at various local hospitals to provide a quiet, comfortable space at the hospital for donor families to be close to their loved one during donation time.JJs Legacys is currently working to identify the community in need of support on their transplant journeys. We have partnered with Kern County dialysis centers to identify those who are waiting for their life-saving transplant with medical grants and financial assistance in many forms including coverage of transportation costs to assist more patients with frequent travel requirements in completing their pre-transplant process to get on the recipient waiting list. The financial, medical grants we offer help them cover the costs of insurance premiums, doctors visits, prescription medicine, lab work and temporary housing during recovery.
  2. $8,156 spent. The Got The Dot Leadership Program- A 3 week long educational introduction to organ, eye and tissue donation, the curriculum consists of four sessions of educational material, concluding with the opportunity to give a presentation in class to a panel of local judges. Their final project will showcase a student created video using their newly gained knowledge along with their presentation. All the students who participate in the Leadership Program will receive participation certificates. A first and second place team will be awarded scholarships and will be featured on JJs Legacy social media platforms.The Got The Dot Executive Student Board- . This academic year-long club educates students, provides several independent projects to expand on their training. JJ's Legacy events to maximize volunteering and community outreach impact. Students also are given the opportunity to meet with guest speakers who have had a life saving transplant and donor families. The Student Board meets at the JJs Legacy office monthly to provide education and leadership skills. Students will become educators on organ, eye, and tissue donation for their friends and families. The culminating project will be a research presentation on a campaign educating Kern County residents on organ, eye and tissue donation. Students will receive the criteria on the context for their research presentation and work in teams. Their final campaigns will be used to educate our community on the value of organ, eye, and tissue. A presentation will take place at the end of the year with the student teams presenting their research projects to a local panel of judges. Students are encouraged to invite their family and friends to this event. All the students who participate in the Got the Dot Club will receive participation certificates. JJ's Legacy will award scholarships to first and second place winning teams. The goal of The GTD Club is to increase donor registration in Kern County.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.