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Path of Life Ministries

EIN 33-0724945 · Riverside, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PATH OF LIFE MINISTRIES (POLM) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SERVING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH THE GOAL TO RESCUE, RESTORE, AND REBUILD LIVES. POLM PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WITH WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE COACHING THAT PROMOTES SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND FAMILY RESTORATION

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$9.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
144
Volunteers
1,213
Highest pay
$148,590, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $583,682 spent. COMMUNITY SHELTER: THIS SHELTER IS A 60 -90 DAY PROGRAM THAT SERVES ADULTS 18 AND OLDER BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY HOUSING ALONG WITH ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, JOB READINESS, MEALS, SHOWERS, HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND OTHER NECESSARY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES 90 BEDS FOR ELIGIBLE MEN AND WOMEN WITH SEPARATE DORMITORIES FOR EACH GENDER. 749 NEW ENROLLMENTS; 767 EXITED 27,776 BED NIGHTS (2,315 BED NIGHTS PER MONTH AVG) 84% BED UTILIZATION AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY 43 DAYS 26 (3.5%) VETERANS SERVED 270 (36%) CHRONIC HOMELESS 345 (46%) MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER 84 (11%) AGE 18-24 SERVED 73 (10%) AGE 62+ OR OLDER SERVED CONNECTED WITH MAINSTREAM BENEFITS AT EXIT 551 (72%) INCOME AT EXIT 242 (31%) EMPLOYMENT INCOME AT EXIT 63 (8%) OTHER INCOME AT EXIT 179 (23%) INCREASED EMPLOYMENT AT EXIT 29 (4%) INCREASED INCOME AT EXIT 26 (3%) EXITS TO INTERIM HOUSING 171 (22%) EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING 106 (14%) TOTAL EXITS TO A HOUSING DESTINATION 277 (36%)
  2. $2.0 million spent. FAMILY SHELTER: THIS 60-90 DAY PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO PARENTS AND COUPLES WITH CHILDREN. IT OFFERS A SAFE HAVEN TO HELP FAMILIES MOVE TOWARD SELF-RELIANCE. IT IS A DORMITORY SETTING WITH 46 BEDS AS WELL AS CRIBS. CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH LIFE SKILLS, WORKSHOPS, MEALS, SHOWERS, AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES. CASE MANAGERS HELP FAMILIES TO ESTABLISH A HOUSING PLAN WITH GOALS. DURING THEIR STAY, THEY ALSO ASSIST WITH FINDING HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.82 HOUSEHOLDS, 233 NEW ENROLLMENTS; 125 CHILDREN (AGE 0-17) (54%) 22 HOUSEHOLDS, 196 INDIVIDUALS EXITED; 103 CHILDREN (AGE 0-17) (53%) 15,244 BED NIGHTS (1,270 PER MONTH AVG) 91% BED UTILIZATION AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY 63 DAYS 7 (6%) CHRONIC HOMELESS (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) 18 (8%) MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER 20 (9%) AGE 18-24 SERVED CONNECTED WITH MAINSTREAM BENEFITS AT EXIT - 74 (80%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) INCOME AT EXIT 57 (29%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) EMPLOYMENT INCOME AT EXIT 11 (4%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) OTHER INCOME AT EXIT 49 (25%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) INCREASED INCOME AT EXIT 11 (12%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) INCREASED EMPLOYMENT AT EXIT 11 (12%) (ADULTS & HOH ONLY) EXITS TO INTERIM HOUSING 64 INDIVIDUALS (33%) EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING 63 INDIVIDUALS (32%) TOTAL EXITS TO A HOUSING DESTINATION - 127 INDIVIDUALS (65%)
  3. $5.8 million spent. PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTINUOUS RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES, UTILIZING A HOUSING FIRST MODEL WITH EXTREMELY LOW BARRIERS FOR PLACEMENT INTO HOUSING WITH THE SUPPORT OF HOUSING NAVIGATORS. CLIENTS WERE PROVIDED WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, UTILITY DEPOSITS AND ASSISTANCE, MOVING ASSISTANCE, GROCERIES, AND CHILDCARE. 86 HOUSEHOLDS, 139 INDIVIDUALS SERVED; 29 CHILDREN (AGE 0-17) SERVED (21%) 10 (7%) AGE 18-24 SERVED 97% RETENTION RATE IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOUR (4) INDIVIDUALS DECEASED EXITS TO INTERIM HOUSING 7 INDIVIDUALS (18% OF EXITS) EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING 18 INDIVIDUALS (49% OF EXITS) TOTAL EXITS TO A HOUSING DESTINATION - 25 INDIVIDUALS (67% OF EXITS)

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 September 1998.

    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.

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