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Fair Opportunity for Change Inc

EIN 37-1555574 · Carson, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF FAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE, INC. IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY INTERIM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES TO HOMELESS SINGLE ADULTS AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
33
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$298,695, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 128% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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 March 31, 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. $3.1 million spent. FAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE INC SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 720 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED 3/31/25. THE SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED INCLUDE SUPPORTIVE INTERIM HOUSING, LIFE SKILL GROUPS, CASE MANAGEMENT, CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING SERVICES, RECREATIONAL TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES, THREE MEALS PER DAY, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, CLOTHING, ARTS AND CRAFT, LAUNDRY/CLEANING SERVICES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND COMMUNITY REFERRALS AND LINKAGES TO ASSIST FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY PERMANENT HOUSING. OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND COVID MITIGATION SERVICES WITH FREE RAPID TESTING. THESE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED UTILIZING ELEVEN SEPARATE INTERIM HOUSING LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO LINK INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HOMELESS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on March 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on March 15, 2011.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 March 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 February 2012.

    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 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.