Cots
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CREATE AND FACILITATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EMPOWER FAMILIES IN POVERTY TO COLLABORATE, THRIVE, AND SUCCEED IN BUILDING STRONG HOUSEHOLDS, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $10.4 million
- Spending
- $9.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 22.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 86
- Volunteers
- 304
- Highest pay
- $227,630, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $3.7 million spent. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING - THIS PROGRAM SPONSORS 80+ UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNDER THE HUD SHELTER PLUS CARE PROGRAM, 10 UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNDER A HUD GRANT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AT THE BUERSMEYER MANOR APARTMENTS, 40-50 UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES IN OUR PATHWAYS TO HOUSING PROGRAM, AND 30 UNITS UNDER THE OMEGA PROJECT, A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, INC. THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM LINKS LEASING/RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR HARD-TO-SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES, HAVE CHRONIC HISTORY WITH ALCOLHOL OR DRUGS, HAVE HIV/AIDS, OR OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS TO BE USED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. COTS MANAGES THE HOUSING ASPECT OF EACH PROGRAM.
- $3.5 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER - IN MARCH 2019 COTS OPENED A NEW RENOVATED SHELTER AT 16630 WYOMING WITH 120 BEDS AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. BEYOND MEETING THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF ITS GUESTS, COTS ALSO PROVIDES COACHING, CASE MANAGMENT, AND A WIDE ARRAY OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP SHELTER GUESTS ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 1) LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTER, 2) LAUNDRY FACILITIES, 3) COMPUTER LABS, 4) DAILY MEAL SERVICE, 5) YOUTH ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
- $665,787 spent. COUNSELING AND HOUSING SERVICES - ASSIST FAMILIES IN REACHING THEIR HOUSING, ECONOMIC, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND CAREER GOALS THROUGH COACHING, MENTORING, CASE MANAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL REFERRALS. PARENTING SUPPORT PROGRAMS, LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMING, AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY COTS STAFF AND PARTNERSHIPS.
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 March 1983.
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.