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Tillys Life Center

EIN 45-5468732 · Irvine, CA

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

TILLY'S LIFE CENTER MISSION IS TO INSPIRE TODAY'S YOUTH TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, KIND, HAPPY AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
20
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$228,781, ceo

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 17 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 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)
  1. $1.7 million spent. TLC PARTNERS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER YOUTH AGENCIES TO DELIVER OUR PROPRIETARY CURRICULUM, "I AM ME". OUR FACILITATORS GO DIRECTLY TO THE STUDENTS, SUPPLEMENTING EXISTING HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN A 36-UNIT, FULL SEMESTER AND ON-SITE FORMAT. TLC EQUIPS ADOLESCENTS WITH NECESSARY COPING SKILLS, MOTIVATION AND PURPOSE. STUDENTS EMERGE WITH MENTAL HEALTH RESILIENCE AND DISCOVER BETTER WAYS TO COMMUNICATE, ENGAGE WITH OTHERS AND BUILD SELF-MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO HELP ACHIEVE THEIR SOCIAL AND LIFE GOALS. SINCE 2012, WE HAVE TRAINED OVER 26,355 STUDENTS IN SCHOOL-BASED AND WORKSHOP SETTINGS.
  2. $95,924 spent. TLC HAS DEVELOPED AN EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT AND ENHANCE OUR WELLNESSS APPROACH IN DAILY LEARNING. DURING THIS YEAR, WE PROVIDED STIPENDS TO 124 TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR COMPLETING THE TRAINING IN FULL-DAY SESSIONS AT SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES OR COMMUNITY SITES. THIS ENABLES THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF "I AM ME- AND OUR PROGRAM, AND TO PROMOTE THE TLC MODEL IN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS OR AGENCIES. IN FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE TRAINED 539 PROFESSIONALS IN THE TLC "I AM ME" PROGRAM.
  3. $29,740 spent. DURING THIS YEAR, WE LAUNCHED AN EVIDENCE-BASED EVALUATION AND CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT PROJECT TO BETTER DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND NEED FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES LIKE TLC OFFERS. WITH PROVEN RESEARCH TECHNOLOGIES, WE WILL DEVELOP TOOLS TO MEASURE AND EVALUATE STUDENT AND TEACHER RESULTS IN PROGRAM SATISFACTION AND PERSONAL GROWTH.

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

  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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 December 2013.

    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 November 4, 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.