Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

New Directions for People With Disabilities Inc

EIN 77-0147768 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL TRAVEL-RELATED PROGRAMS FOR TEENS, ADULTS AND SENIORS WITH BRAIN IMPAIRMENTS GIVING OPTIMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS ON LEARNING, IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM AND INCREASING SOCIALIZATION.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
14

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $1.8 million spent. DAY OUTINGS AND EXTENDED VACATION TOURS TO DESTINATIONS SUCH AS MUSEUMS, DISNEYLAND, LAS VEGAS, HAWAII, AND INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS THAT ARE 1-15 DAYS IN DURATION, ESCORTED BY SPECIFICALLY TRAINED STAFF AT AN AVERAGE RATIO OF 1 STAFF TO 4 PARTICIPANTS. SOME PARTICIPANTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES REQUIRE A 1:1 RATIO. HOLIDAY HAPPINESS TOURS ARE EXTENDED FAMILY STYLE TOURS FROM 3-8 DAYS OVER THE KEY HOLIDAY PERIODS OF CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH AND THANKSGIVING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO FAMILY INVOLVEMENTS. ITINERARIES INCLUDE ALL TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES ALONG WITH REGULAR TOUR ACTIVITIES. THIS PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE LIVING IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE LEFT BEHIND WHEN THEIR PEERS LEAVE FOR HOLIDAY HOME VISITS.
  2. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES, IN THE SANTA BARBARA OFFICE, FULLY PAID OFFICE ASSISTANT POSITIONS WITH TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BRAIN IMPAIRMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.