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A Touch of Understanding Inc

EIN 68-0389777 · Granite Bay, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF ATOU IS TO ENCOURAGE EMPATHY AND IGNITE RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WITH ALL DIFFERING LEVELS OF ABILITY. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE STUDENTS & ADULTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND REDUCE THE DISCRIMINATION THEY EXPERIENCE.

Income
$580,198
Spending
$587,053
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
12
Volunteers
35

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $457,986 spent. THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR ALLOWED ATOU TO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS IN SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN AND ALSO FOR ADULTS IN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THE WORKSHOPS ALLOW THE PARTICIPANTS TO EXPERIENCE LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THIS INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE ALLOWS THE PARTICIPANTS TO DEVELOP EMPATHY AND RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. ADDITIONALLY, VOLUNTEER SPEAKERS SHARE THEIR STORIES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH HONESTY AND HUMOR. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025. WE CONDUCTED WORKSHOPS AT OVER 100 SCHOOLS AND SERVED CLOSED TO 10,000 CHILDREN IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA.

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 December 1996.

    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.