Outside the Box Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO BE LEADERS IN THEIR LIVES AND CREATE MEANINGFUL DAYS.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 86%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 0
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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 million spent. OUTSIDE THE BOX, INC WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THAT DO NOT FIT INTO MODELS CURRENTLY OFFERED BY AREA PROVIDERS. OUR PERSON-CENTERED SERVICES INCLUDE LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, COPING SKILLS TRAINING, SELF-DISCOVERY AND CAREER PLANNING, SKILL ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY INCLUSION, PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB DEVELOPMENT/EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT. INDIVIDUALS IN OUR PROGRAM ENJOY A VERY SMALL PARTICIPANT TO STAFF RATIO, INCLUDING GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES. WHILE CAREER EXPLORATION AND ASSESSMENT BEGIN AT THE ONSET OFF THE PROGRAM, INDIVIDUALS ALSO WORK THROUGH A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM INCLUDING SUCH TOPICS AS COMMUNICATION, ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY, CHARACTER AND DEPENDABILITY, FINANCE, MARKETING, AND SKILLS BUILDING PARTICULAR TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S CHOSEN CAREER. INDIVIDUALS MEET WITH CAREER SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS FOR INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE/COUNSELING ON A WEEKLY BASIS. ONCE PREPARED TO BEGIN WORKING, PARTICIPANTS BENEFIT FROM JOB DEVELOPMENT, PLACEMENT, AND FOLLOW ALONG SERVICES WHICH ARE TAILORED TO THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. EMPLOYMENT STAFF INCLUDE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS, FOCUSING ON JOB DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND CAREER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, WHO PLACE MORE OF AN EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL JOB SEARCHES, JOB SEEKING SKILLS, PLACEMENT, AND FOLLOW ALONG SERVICES BY PROVIDING THESE CUSTOMIZED PERSONAL SERVICES TO THESE INDIVIDUALS, IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN CREATING A MORE MEANINGFUL LIFE AND CAREER FOR THEMSELVES. WE CURRENTLY SERVE 125 PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO 60 PEOPLE.
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
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 2024.
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 September 2008.
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.