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Deaf Community Services of San Diego Inc

EIN 33-0006089 · National City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To advocate, educate, and serve as partners within our community to achieve full access and inclusion of, by, and for Deaf, Hard of hearing, Late Deafened and DeafBlind people.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
31
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$149,331, executive director

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 39% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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 61% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (6)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Communications Services During the fiscal year, 4,476 deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and hearing individuals were served. DCS provides qualified sign language interpreters who are competent in a variety of communication modes, including American Sign Language ASL, LSM, PSE, signed English, transliteration, oral interpreting, deaf interpreting, and protractile interpreting. DCS provides alternate communication options to assist with interpreting needs in any setting such as Communication Access Realtime Translation CART services and other communication methods.
  2. $678,311 spent. Behavioral Health Services During the fiscal year, DCS provided 3,536 SOL and Clubhouse counseling services and client contacts to deaf and hard of hearing adults. DCS counseling services strive to resolve a wide variety of challenges and issues with substance use, mental and behavioral health, problems at the workplace, as well as other problems in daily life.
  3. $764,627 spent. Advocacy Services During the fiscal year, DCS advocated 1,278 deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community members. DCS advocacy services provide support to deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and late-deafened individuals, ensuring equal access and equal opportunity in accordance with legal and civil rights and in a variety of public and private venues such as DMV offices, SSA offices, housing assistance offices, and such.
  4. Program Service Expenses 188,007, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Employment Services During the fiscal year, DCS provided 592 employment services to deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals. DCS employment services assisted job seekers in obtaining and maintaining employment, provide them high quality support services, and guide them through job search training, mock interviews, cover letter and resume development, and completion of job applications. The services also collaborate with employers to develop relationships that foster potential employment opportunities for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals.
  5. Program Service Expenses 66,469, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 244,749 Adult Literacy Services During the fiscal year, 171 deaf and hard of hearing adults were served. The adult literacy programs provide classroom learning and personal development through ASL. Classroom instruction includes educating trainees and participants about how to develop and maintain a myriad of skills necessary to live independently. In addition, workshop presenters participate in the classroom to provide trainees and participants with information on career exploration and preparation and options for transition programs and services.
  6. Program Service Expenses 6,870, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 3,688 Community Outreach and Education During the fiscal year, 3,629 deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals were served. Efforts through community education enhance the knowledge and skills - with topics of interest and relevance - among deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals in both deaf and hearing communities. DCS offers a wide range of workshops and activities such as ASL classes, resources fairs, employment-related workshops, educational sessions about social security, CalFresh Food benefits, immigration, and self-help groups. In addition, youth and family services provided and coordinated enrichment programs for 120 young adults, children, and families.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 1984.

    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.