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Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness

EIN 38-3750535 · Salt Lake Cty, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

USARA's mission is to connect and inspire communities to advocate for addiction recovery. We envision a Utah where recovery community and connection are recognized as the most valuable assets for people to recover from addiction.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
50
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$143,412, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.6 million spent. Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) supports individuals who have struggled with substance use/substance use disorders, and concerned family members, with informational resources and non-clinical peer support to facilitate engagement with recovery. In 2024 the following achievements were accomplished:Increased Recovery Community Centers model located now in 6 Utah counties; Weber, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington, Carbon, and Grand (targeted rural areas).Provided Recovery Support Services (RSS), delivered by Peer Recovery Coaches, which are a form of non-clinical support that combines the lived experience of recovery who walk side by side with individuals seeking recovery, introducing them to different types of support to achieve overall wellness through identifying and increasing their recovery capital through recovery planning, setting personal life goals, and regular self-evaluation of engagement.- 4,444 one-on-one long-term peer recovery coaching sessions serving 1,307 individuals.- 1,762 individual peer recovery coaching sessions conducted in acute care hospital and emergency department settings.- 25,206 attendees in 1,908 mutual aid recovery support groups.- 4,903 recovery warm-line calls received.Outreach to over 80 community partners, offering RSS to patients/clients in a range of settings, including drug courts and other criminal justice entities, hospitals and emergency departments, primary healthcare settings, homeless shelters, behavioral health, substance use treatment programs, etc.Increased Family Support Program Services:- CRAFT Program facilitators: 16 total - 6 employees, 10 volunteers- 300 craft groups with 2,048 participants attending- In 2024 We offered online groups, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and we also provided four in person groups.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 June 2007.

    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.