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Project Self-Sufficiency

EIN 33-0597719 · Newport Beach, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY HELPS LOW-INCOME SINGLE PARENTS IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED, WRAPAROUND SERVICES THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY AND TRANSITION INTO CAREER.

Income
$304,802
Spending
$454,354
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
80

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $184,086 spent. PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY (PSS) SERVES AND SUPPORTS HIGHLY MOTIVATED, LOW INCOME, SINGLE PARENTS, HELPING THEM TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING. PSS OFFERS INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, ASSISTANCE WITH HOMELESS OR HOUSING INSECURE FAMILIES AND PROVDES ACCESS TO COMPRHENSIVE RESOURCE
  2. $149,928 spent. ASSISTED APPROXIMATELY 100 FAMILIES WITH HOUSING TRANSPORTATION, COSTS, EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER EXPENSES TO WORK TOWARD CAREER INDEPENDENCE AND SUPPORT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.