Creative Living Options Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Creative Living Options (CLO) is committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilitiesand their satisfaction with servicesby providing superior, individualized supports in each persons home and community. Choice, individual rights, the freedom to design ones own life, and person-centered supports are core to CLOs values and philosophy.
- Income
- $6.4 million
- Spending
- $7.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 4.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 299
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $157,913, ceo
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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
10 of 10Gave 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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)
- $6.0 million spent. The agency supports 43 adults with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their own within the community. We help individuals find, modify, and maintain housing; access community resources; and become active participants in community life. Services include researching home-ownership and low-income housing options and maintaining current information from housing authorities. We recruit, hire, and train direct-support staff and maintain required background checks, DMV records, auto insurance, medical exams, drug testing, and First Aid/CPR certifications. We facilitate circles of support, provide recreational resources, and assist individuals in building friendships and developing future life plans across all relevant domains. The agency develops individualized program and service plans (IPPs/ISPs) that detail how services will be delivered, and we monitor progress daily, monthly, and annually. We provide training in social, behavioral, and daily-living skills; offer assistance with money management, income, bill payment, and benefits; and coordinate medical and dental care, including medication management and appointments. We maintain 24-hour emergency response systems, support self-advocacy, assist with employment goals, and facilitate family and inter-agency collaboration. The agency also maintains a library of up-to-date books, materials, and resources for all employees.
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 February 2002.
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.