Life Raft International Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to feed, shelter, and protect people who have escaped persecution in their home countries only to face it anew in the country where they hoped to find refuge. We do this by connecting those facing persecution with the people who want to help them.
- Income
- $210,030
- Spending
- $220,921
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $32,200, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 (3)
- $112,892 spent. Providing ongoing support for 75+ refugee families in Bangkok, delivered through a network of local volunteer advocates. Financial support for these families goes towards food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and other necessary ongoing living expenses.
- $35,846 spent. Education for refugees: Includes tuition support for refugees to attend local schools in Bangkok, direct support of schools, and at-home educational materials for refugees
- $23,814 spent. Develop and lead a collaborative effort across churches and NGOs in Bangkok to provide ongoing emotional and tangible support to refugees who are being held in a detention center. Life Raft organizes volunteers to visit refugees who are detained, and bring them food, toiletries, and clothing.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 June 2012.
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.