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Rancho Cielo Inc

EIN 77-0555859 · Salinas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE CAMPUS TO DELIVER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT INSPIRE AT-RISK YOUTH TO LEARN NEW SKILLS AND GAIN SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
78
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$167,515, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 September 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 (5)
  1. $1.1 million spent. DRUMMOND CULINARY ACADEMYEXECUTIVE CHEF TAKES THE STUDENTS THROUGH A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CULINARY ARTS CURRICULUM, INCLUDING SAFE FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATION. THE TEN-MONTH PROGRAM, SPLIT BETWEEN THE KITCHEN AND THE JOHN MUIR CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC CLASSROOM, RESULTS IN A CULINARY CERTIFICATE AND A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE A 200 HOUR EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM WORKING WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO GAIN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS JOB READINESS TRAINING, AS WELL AS PLACEMENT AND REFERRAL SERVICES FOR GRADUATES. DRUMMOND CULINARY ACADEMY EXECUTIVE CHEF TAKES THE STUDENTS THROUGH A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CULINARY ARTS CURRICULUM, INCLUDING SAFE FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATION. THE TEN-MONTH PROGRAM, SPLIT BETWEEN THE KITCHEN AND THE JOHN MUIR CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC CLASSROOM, RESULTS IN A CULINARY CERTIFICATE AND A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE A 200 HOUR EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM WORKING WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO GAIN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS JOB READINESS TRAINING, AS WELL AS PLACEMENT AND REFERRAL SERVICES FOR GRADUATES.
  2. $844,729 spent. WELDING & FABRICATIONIN RANCHO CIELO'S WELDING & FABRICATION PROGRAM, STUDENTS ATTAIN MASTERY IN A VARIETY OF WELDING METHODS, PREPARING THEM FOR ENTRY-LEVEL OCCUPATIONS IN THE WELDING INDUSTRY WHICH CAN OPEN DOORS IN A VARIETY OF RELATED INDUSTRIES AND CAREERS. A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS GAINED THRU PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR CHARTERSCHOOLS. JOB READINESS, JOB REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PART OF THE PROGRAM. WELDING & FABRICATION IN RANCHO CIELO'S WELDING & FABRICATION PROGRAM, STUDENTS ATTAIN MASTERY IN A VARIETY OF WELDING METHODS, PREPARING THEM FOR ENTRY-LEVEL OCCUPATIONS IN THEWELDING INDUSTRY WHICH CAN OPEN DOORS IN A VARIETY OF RELATED INDUSTRIES AND CAREERS. A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS GAINED THRU PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR CHARTERSCHOOLS. JOB READINESS, JOB REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PART OF THE PROGRAM.
  3. $710,292 spent. CONSTRUCTION & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ACADEMY IN THE CONSTRUCTION & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ACADEMY, STUDENTS ACHIEVE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATES WHILE GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING SMALL, SUSTAINABLE HOMES. A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS GAINED THRU PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR CHARTER SCHOOLS. JOB READINESS, JOB REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PART OF THE PROGRAM. CONSTRUCTION & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ACADEMY IN THE CONSTRUCTION & SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ACADEMY, STUDENTS ACHIEVE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATES WHILE GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING SMALL, SUSTAINABLE HOMES. A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS GAINED THRU PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR CHARTER SCHOOLS. JOB READINESS, JOB REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PART OF THE PROGRAM.
  4. $1.6 million spent. AG TECHNOLOGY & MECHANTRONICS AND OTHER PROGRAMSRANCHO CIELO'S AG TECHNOLOGY & MECHATRONICS PROGRAM INTRODUCES ELECTRO-MECHANICAL FUNDAMENTALS, APPLICATIONS, AND TECHNOLOGIES IN MODERN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS GAINED THRU PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR CHARTER SCHOOLS. JOB READINESS, JOB REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PART OF THE PROGRAMS.
  5. $662,023 spent. YOUTH CORPSA CREW-BASED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 18-24 WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN CONSIDERED THE "HARDEST TO EMPLOY." DEPENDABILITY, TEAMWORK, RESPECT, PUNCTUALITY AND OTHER JOB RETENTION SKILLS ARE A KEY PART OF THIS JOB READINESS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. OUR CREWS LEARN THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A VARIETY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT TEACH EVERYTHING FROM WORK ETHICS TO COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION SKILLS. THEY ARE EMPLOYED BY RANCHO CIELO DURING THEIR TENURE IN THE YOUTH CORPS. THIS PROGRAM IS CRITICAL TO THE CULTURAL CHANGE WE ARE TRYING TO AFFECT, PROVIDING YOUTH WITH POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN NEW SKILLS AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 2001.

    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.