Passes our checks

Bay Area Older Adults Inc

EIN 80-0286918 · San Jose, CA

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

What it says it does

Empower adults of all abilities to take charge of their health, embrace diversity, and become change agents for environmental sustainability.

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 51.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20
It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
4 of 5 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$117,095 spent. Healthy Living Program: multisensory educational outdoor nature walking, cultural diversity, health promotion, evidence-based socialization,environmental volunteering programs and resources for adults of all abilities. The goals of the programs are to prevent future illnesses, stabilize existing chronic conditions and create a healthy environment for our community. Key accomplishments for this fiscal year were (1) A research study performed in collaboration with scientists at San Jose State and Touro Universities found BAO's program increased both social networks and physical health which reduces chronic diseases such as depression, dementia and heart disease. This is a link to the peer-reviewed manuscript: https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/content/7.2025_Community_based_socialization_for_older_adults.pdf Our novel multisensory outdoor educational walking program in partnership with Open Space Authority was highlighted on NBC Bay Area (view here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUmx07fDwT8) and in a front page San Jose Mercury News article https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/content/6.20.2025SanJoseMercuryNewsBAOMultisensoryProgram.pdf For more than a decade, BAO provided free socialization programs for more than 35,000 older adults and people with disabilities, dementia and their caregivers.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.