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El Camino Homeless Organization

EIN 77-0545434 · Atascadero, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDES FOOD AND SHELTER FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE IN NORTHERN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
45
Volunteers
1,500
Highest pay
$133,272, president & 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

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $813,609 spent. SERVED DINNER MEALS, BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES TO HOMELESS ADULTS AND CHILDREN. PROVIDED OVERNIGHT SHELTER FOR MORE THAN 496 HOMELESS ADULTS AND 134 CHILDREN. PROVIDED HOMELESS CLIENTS WITH CASE MANAGEMENT, LAUNDRY SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE.IN 2024, ECHO COMPLETED A REMODEL OF ITS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES FUNDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM, ENHANCING THE FUNCTIONALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR OPERATIONS TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY.ECHO, ATASCADERO - IN OCTOBER 2024 ECHO BEGAN CONTRUCTION ON A PRIVATELY FUNDED FAMILY WING ADDITION THAT WILL CREATE 30 NEW SHELTER BEDS DEDICATED TO SERVING FAMILIES WITH CHILDRED, EXPANDING THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND STABLE SHELTER FOR THOSE IN NEED.
  2. $682,818 spent. ECHO, PASO ROBLES - THROUGH THE STATE RUN PROJECT, HOMEKEY PROGRAM, ECHO PARTNERED WITH THE SLO HOUSING AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE'S SELF HELP HOUSING TO CONVERT THE OLD MOTEL 6 BUILDING IN PASO ROBLES INTO A SHELTER FACILIITY FOR CLIENTS IN NEED. THE NEW SHELTER PROGRAM STARTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 2020. A SAFE AND WARM PLACE TO SLEEP WAS PROVIDED IN ADDITION TO CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
  3. $532,151 spent. OUTREACH - ECHO HIRED TWO OUTREACH CASE MANAGERS IN 2020 TO GO OUT INTO THE NORTH COUNTY COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO UNHOUSED PEOPLE WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED. THE CASE MANAGERS PROVIDED HYGIENE KITS, COVID-19 INFORMATION, FOOD, WATER AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

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

  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 December 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 January 2001.

    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.