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Toward Maximum Independence

EIN 33-0185759 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TMI PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO THOSE WHO REQUIRE SUPPORT, ENABLING THEM TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES REGARDING HOW THEY LIVE, WORK AND FUNCTION PRODUCTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$29.3 million
Spending
$29.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
486
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$384,291, chief executive officer

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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 (1)
  1. $26.1 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE THREE LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES PROGRAM: TOWARD MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE (TMI) IS HONORED TO OFFER INDEPENDENT LIVING AND SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. IN ORDER TO LIVE IN A HOME OR APARTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, ONE PERSON MAY NEED LIVE-IN SUPPORT, WHILE OTHERS MAY NEED ONLY INTERMITTENT SUPPORT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK TO HELP WITH SUCH THINGS AS MEAL PLANNING, GROCERY SHOPPING OR BANKING. TMI'S MISSION AND CORE VALUES ARE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND OUR EMPHASIS ON HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP AND BUILD SKILLS SO THEY CAN DO THINGS FOR THEMSELVES; BE INDEPENDENT. WE ALSO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY AND DISCOVER ACTIVITIES AND PLACES WHERE THEY CAN MEET PEOPLE, MAKE FRIENDS AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMMUNITY.EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS PROGRAM: TOWARD MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE (TMI) PROVIDES DAY PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS TAILORED TO MEET THE WISHES OF OUR CLIENTS. OUR CLIENTS CAN ABSOLUTELY ENJOY THE REWARDS OF BEING A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER IN SOCIETY AND HAVE THE SATISFACTION AND PRIDE THAT COMES WITH HAVING A JOB OR VOLUNTEERING. THE TMI EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS PROGRAM WORKS WITH OUR CLIENTS TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, IF DESIRED, AND ALSO WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CLIENTS. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM: AS A LICENSED RESOURCE FAMILY AGENCY (FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY) (RFA LICENSE #XXX-XX-XXXX), TOWARD MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE (TMI) PROVIDES RESOURCE FAMILY PLACEMENTS FOR YOUTH WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD), AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL INNOVATIVE AND TRUSTED PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES WE SERVE.

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 October 1986.

    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.