Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Unity Shoppe Inc

EIN 77-0391064 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITY SHOPPE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY TEMPORARY CONDITIONS OF POVERTY, NATURAL DISASTER OR HEALTH CRISIS WITH RESOURCES,INCLUDING GROCERIES,CLOTHING,AND OTHER ESSENTIALS AS WELL AS JOB TRAINING,THAT REINFORCE HUMAN DIGNITY & ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
32
Volunteers
785
Highest pay
$154,527, executive director

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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. $6.5 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES CENTEROUR FAMILY SERVICES CENTER, LOVINGLY REFERRED TO AS THE "FREE STORE," IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR EFFORT TO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS. WE NOURISH THEM WITH THE BEST GROCERIES WE CAN POSSIBLY SECURE AND CLOTHE THEM ONLY WITH NEW AND LIKE-NEW CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR. UNITY OPERATES LOCATIONS IN SANTA BARBARA AND LOMPOC.
  2. UNITY DELIVERSUNITY DELIVERS, BORN OF NECESSITY IN 2020, IS A PROGRAM WHICH MEETS THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH HOME DELIVERIES OF CUSTOM GROCERY ORDERS. THEY CALL AND REQUEST FOR GROCERIES THAT GET DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO THEIR DOOR TWICE MONTHLY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  3. HOLIDAY TOYS & GIFTSSUPPORTING THE SANTA BARBARA COMMUNITY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON FILLS OUR HEARTS IN WAYS THAT ARE HARD TO DESCRIBE. THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND GENEROSITY IS OVERWHELMING AS BRAND-NEW TOYS ARRIVE FROM INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, CORPORATIONS, TOYS FOR TOTS, THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, CHP OFFICES, AND CITY & COUNTY FIRE STATIONS. TOGETHER, WE WORK HAND IN HAND TO BRING JOY AND WARMTH TO LOCAL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT'S MORE THAN JUST GIVING TOYS IT'S ABOUT SPREADING HOPE AND MAKING THE HOLIDAYS TRULY MAGICAL FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. THIS UNITED EFFORT LIGHTS UP THE SEASON FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
  4. BACK-TO-SCHOOLIN AUGUST, THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPE COMES ALIVE, JUST WHEN FAMILIES NEED IT MOST. WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF SCHOOL SHOPPING WEIGHING HEAVY, WE STEP IN TO PROVIDE RELIEF. CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS EXCITED TO PICK OUT BRAND-NEW BACKPACKS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, FRESH CLOTHES, AND STYLISH SHOES EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO FEEL CONFIDENT AND PREPARED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR AHEAD. IT'S MORE THAN JUST SUPPLIES; IT'S ABOUT GIVING KIDS THE TOOLS AND THE BOOST THEY NEED TO SUCCEED FROM DAY ONE.SENIORS HELPING SENIORS AND KIDSOUR LONG-TIME SENIOR VOLUNTEERS ARE NOTHING SHORT OF ANGELS AND MIRACLE WORKERS! HUNDREDS OF THEM WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR KNITTING, SEWING, QUILTING, PAINTING, WOODWORKING, AND ASSEMBLING TO BRING WARMTH AND JOY TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.JOB SMARTPROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS, UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS, AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO FIND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN A COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET. PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT AN INTERVIEW OUTFIT WHICH INCLUDES SHOES AND REFERRAL TO RESUME DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE.

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 January 1995.

    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.