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Freed Center for Independent Living

EIN 68-0085639 · Grass Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote independence and self-determination for people with disabilities through person-driven services, collaborative community partnerships and education, and leadership that advocates for fully inclusive communities.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
36
Volunteers
66

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $3.2 million spent. THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS, PROVIDED SERVICES TO AND ADVOCATED FOR THE RIGHTS OF DISABLED PERSONS TO MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL FOR INDEPENDENCE.
  2. THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM AIDS TO REDUCE ISOLATION AND INCREASE INDEPENDENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH THIS COMMON SYNDROME.
  3. THROUGH FUNDING OF DEPARTMENT OF REHABILIATION, FREED SUPPORTS PEOPLE IN INCREASING AND MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE BY EMPOWERING THEIR COMMUNITY TO LIVE WITH SELF-DETERMINATION AND AWARENESS.THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT) PROGRAM INFORMS PEOPLE OF THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS IN AT, AND TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN LEARNING HOW TO USE AT.
  4. THROUGH FUNDING OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, FREED SUPPORTS PEOPLE IN INCREASING AND MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE BY EMPOWERING THEIR COMMUNITY TO LIVE WITH SELF-DETERMINATION AND AWARENESS.

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 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 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 June 1986.

    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.