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Laurel House Inc

EIN 33-0098433 · Tustin, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Laurel House (dba Hope Harbor) is providing a home for teens in crisis, transforming lives, and strengthening families. Laurel House has the only long-term youth shelters in Orange County, CA for runaway, homeless and troubled teen girls and boys.

Income
$618,455
Spending
$813,883
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $357,407 spent. Food and Shelter: Laurel House, dba Hope Harbor,is the only long-term shelter program in Orange County, CA providing direct shelter services and basic necessities, including food, for runaway, homeless and at-risk teen boys and girls. The goal is to prevent teen homelessness by reunifying at-risk teens with their families or transitioning them into other positive living situations. Eighty-five percent of the total budget is delivered directly to beneficiaries for program services at no cost to the beneficiaries, 100% of which is privately donated. Hope Harbor successfully achieved 100% of this goal.
  2. $59,711 spent. Counseling and Mental Health: Counseling and mental health services are provided to at-risk teens from low- to moderate- income households who have limited resources and access to mental health services. The teens we serve are struggling with issues of abuse, mental health, bullying, eating disorders, or suicide ideation, sometimes turning to substance abuse to self-medicate. Counseling sessions can average $150/hour which poses a significant burden to the families we serve. In 2025, 678 counseling sessions,and 60 crisis counseling sessions. Crisis counseling sessions are provided to teens who have experienced significant trauma such as sexual abuse or abandonment. Hope Harbor sucessfully acheived 100% of this goal.
  3. $276,786 spent. Live-in House Parents: Hope Harbor is the only youth shelter program in Orange County that employs live-in house parents providing case management and ongoing, consistent, stable supervision and support to runaway, homeless and at-risk teens. House parents coordinate school enrollment, liaise with the local schools on each teens individual needs including individualized Education Plans when needed and coordinate the mental health treatment plan. They meet regularly with each teen on his/her behavioral contract and goals. With their spouses, the house parents provide a safe and nurturing family atmosphere. In 2025, the following were provided: 40 hours of tutoring and SAT/ACT prep, 2,796 transportation assistance to school and appointments, 619 life skills sessions, 624 fitness and nutritional training sessions, and 801 coaching/case management sessions. Hope Harbor successfully achieved 100% of this goal.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 1985.

    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.