Carlsbad Lifehouse
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LIFEHOUSE OFFERS A BROAD CONTINUUM OF QUALITY, HOLISTIC CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
- Income
- $9.1 million
- Spending
- $7.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 189
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $118,833, executive director
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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $2.3 million spent. THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER IS A 30-DAY SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHABILITATION CENTER THAT PROVIDES INTENSE COUNSELING, LIFE SKILLS, AND OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS. THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO MEN, WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN.
- $1.9 million spent. THE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM IS A 16-WEEK SUBSTANCE ABUSE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM FOR MEN AND WOMEN. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SESSIONS ARE LED BY LICENSED PROFESSIONALS. THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSUMERS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RECOVERY TO ASSIST OTHERS IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEYS. PEER SPECIALISTS MODEL RECOVERY, TEACH SKILLS AND OFFER SUPPORT TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES LEAD MEANINGFUL LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY.
- $902,862 spent. THE MEDICALLY ASSISTED DETOX PROGRAM IS ABOUT MANAGING WITHDRAW SYMPTOMS USING A SAFE PROCESS. DETOX IS SUPERVISED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO MONITOR THE PATIENT'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH THROUGHOUT THE DETOXIFICATION PROCESS. RESIDENTS ARE PAIRED WITH A PEER SUPPORT WORKER TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE RECOVERY PROCESS. THEY ATTEND DAILY PEER GROUPS TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES AND LEARN RECOVERY SKILLS.
- $266,417 spent. THE SOBER LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS OF TRANSITIONAL LIVING SUPPORT AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON LIFE SKILLS, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, PARENTING SKILLS, AND ALTERNATIVES TO OVERCOME EVERYDAY OBSTACLES. HOMES SPECIALIZE IN THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF MEN, WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN.THE MEDICAL CLINIC OFFERS A FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER THAT PROVIDES CONTINUITY OF HEALTH SERVICES THAT INCLUDES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO LIFEHOUSE RESIDENTS DURING AND AFTER DISCHARGE, EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 May 2016.
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 November 4, 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.