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Lifeways Inc

EIN 68-0529279 · Rapid City, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION OFFERS ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG PREVENTION SERVICES TO YOUTH IN RAPID CITY AND CUSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA, WORKING WITH THE RAPID CITY & CUSTER AREAS IN SOUTH DAKOTA TO PROVIDE PREVENTION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. THE ORGANIZATION RUNS INTERVENTIONS TO SCREEN AND REFER STUDENTS IN CRISIS DUE TO POTENTIAL ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUG USE AND TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL FAMILY AND GROUP COUNSELING FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES RELATED TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONDUCTS PREVENTION GROUPS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE VIOLATED DISTRICT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE REGULATIONS, FACILITATES SUPPORT GROUPS FOR STUDENTS, AND ASSISTS DISTRICT STAFF IN THE SUPERVISION OF PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.

Income
$998,025
Spending
$796,420
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
29.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
18
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$77,088, executive di

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 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 (1)
  1. $576,503 spent. LIFEWAYS IS A NONPROFIT, STATE ACCREDITED ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG AGENCY PROVIDING PROACTIVE PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AGENCY. IN THE PAST 19 YEARS, LIFEWAYS HAS IMPLEMENTED UNIVERSAL, SELECTIVE, AND INDICATED EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN THE RAPID CITY & CUSTER AREAS IN SOUTH DAKOTA. LIFEWAYS IS THE ONLY PREVENTION AGENCY WITH ADDICTION COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOLS, IMPACTING OVER 7,000 STUDENTS EVERY YEAR. LIFEWAYS CONTINUUM OF SERVICES MAY INCLUDE EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM IN THE CLASSROOM, SCHOOL-WIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS LED BY PEER- TO-PEER MENTORS, INDIVIDUAL/GROUP SUPPORT, EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING, ASSESSMENTS, IN-SCHOOL RECOVERY SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS RETURNING FROM TREATMENT, PARENT EDUCATION/SUPPORT, AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITH A FAMILY EDUCATION COMPONENT. LIFEWAYS IS A NONPROFIT, STATE ACCREDITED ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG AGENCY PROVIDING PROACTIVE PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AGENCY. IN THE PAST 19 YEARS, LIFEWAYS HAS IMPLEMENTED UNIVERSAL, SELECTIVE, AND INDICATED EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN THE RAPID CITY & CUSTER AREAS IN SOUTH DAKOTA. LIFEWAYS IS THE ONLY PREVENTION AGENCY WITH ADDICTION COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOLS, IMPACTING OVER 7,000 STUDENTS EVERY YEAR. LIFEWAYS CONTINUUM OF SERVICES MAY INCLUDE EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM IN THE CLASSROOM, SCHOOL-WIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS LED BY PEER- TO-PEER MENTORS, INDIVIDUAL/GROUP SUPPORT, EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING, ASSESSMENTS, IN-SCHOOL RECOVERY SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS RETURNING FROM TREATMENT, PARENT EDUCATION/SUPPORT, AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITH A FAMILY EDUCATION COMPONENT.

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

  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 May 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 February 2003.

    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.