Institute for Public Strategies
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Institute of Public Strategies (IPS) is a nonprofit corporation that receives its funding from local and federal governmental agencies and private foundations, through long-term grants or contracts to provide community-level services within specified regions or communities. IPS helps community partners prevent problems by focusing on the community conditions (the social determinants of health) that negatively influence population-level health outcomes.IPS vision is safe, secure, vibrant, and healthy communities where everyone can thrive. The mission of IPS is to work alongside communities to build power, challenge systems of injustice, protect health, and improve quality of life. IPS accomplishes this by providing community partners and youth with training, technical assistance, and tools to impact public health, public safety, equity, and social justice through systems change.IPS corporate office is in San Diego, California, and we have four additional offices located throughout South
- Income
- $6.4 million
- Spending
- $5.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 66
- Volunteers
- 400
- Highest pay
- $196,718, ceo
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 60% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 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
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $3.3 million spent. Alcohol and Drug Prevention:IPS provides community-based, population-level, environmental prevention services related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in three counties and more than a dozen cities across Southern California. Through community-driven policy change at institutional and municipal levels, IPS strives to reduce underage and binge drinking and substance use disorders, as well as eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke in multi-unit housing complexes and in open areas such as parks, beaches, and festivals. The goal is to create lasting social, cultural, physical, legal, and/or political changes in communities with a focus on policies, systems, and environmental factors that will prevent and reduce ATOD problems.
- $1.0 million spent. Youth Leadership DevelopmentIPS facilitates Youth in Action, a coalition of immigrant youth ages 16-20 disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs, and a #SanDiegoVibes campaign created for youth by youth. Youth are trained in leadership, Youth-led Participatory Action Research, and advocacy. They explore historical divestment in their communities and select and champion policy, systems, and environmental changes to create more equitable neighborhoods. In addition, IPS enhances behavioral health literacy, reduces stigma, and promotes help-seeking behavior in the Latine community of San Diego Countys Border Region. Rooted in Social Justice Youth Development, our approach centers on the co-creation of a digital mental health platform that integrates youth-crafted mental health contentvisuals, storytelling, music, and creative arts. We are establishing a culturally resonant and scalable online community for Latine youth and a blueprint for positive change in mental health education and support.
- $380,636 spent. Health Equity:To support health equity and reduce health disparities, IPS is part of a California Statewide Trusted Messenger Network that builds trust with communities through on-the-ground engagement. IPS also advances health equity in communities to prevent behavioral health disparities in underage drinking rates, substance use disorders, and death related to opioid and meth use. By reflecting the language and culture of the communities we serve, IPS has authentic community interactions to provide accurate information and resources on critical issues. Health and behavioral health problems are more common in certain communities based on historical divestment, socio-economic status, and other demographic characteristics. Therefore, the program focuses on making community conditions more equitable so all communities can thrive.
- $2,740 spent. Environmental Justice:IPS assists with the development of an environmental justice project led by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, which will create shovel-ready restoration plans for 15 acres within Otay Valley Regional Park. This once-monoculture eucalyptus grove will be transformed through native habitat restoration, enhanced wildlife corridors, improved stormwater infiltration and water quality, and enriched public access. With the Institute for Public Strategies serving as the community engagement and stewardship lead, the project will ensure that grassroots voicesincluding immigrant youth, tribal partners, and neighborhood residentsshape the design and take ownership of the long-term restoration legacy. Community workshops, youth ambassador programming, public-access design, and a volunteer stewardship framework will anchor the projects sustainability. The result: a restored natural asset that connects wildlife, filters water, provides equitable access to nature, and builds local leadership.
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
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 June 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 October 1996.
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.