City on a Hill Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
City On A Hills mission is two fold:1)to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood by alleviating the symptons of poverty in collaboration with other organizations 2) to help central city youth break the cycle of generational poverty.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 46%
- Reserves
- -11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 41
- Highest pay
- $31,275, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 2 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 75% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 64% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 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
10 of 10Gave 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (2)
- $902,507 spent. Children, youth and family programs: City On A Hill provides holistic support to low-income families, children and youth, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty. We engage hundres of youth annually in growth-focused activities like after school programs, summer initiatives and experiential learning opportunities. We also offer family services including home visits, emergency assistance, caregive support groups and community-building events, all designed to foster strong families and vibrant communities.
- $368,629 spent. Healthcare services: City On A Hill delivers life-changing healthcare services to over 1,000 economically disadvantaged individuals annually, including those experiencing homelessness, the elderly and people with disabilities. Our comprehensive care includes health screenings, physician consultations, medication provision, teleheath access, vision care, rehabilitative services, diabetes prevention and cancer screenings. Our specialized initiative for those in shelters and transitional housing emphasizes health education and system navigation, ensureing that all can access dignified, no-cost primary care.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.