Community Awareness Resource Entity of Arizona
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Community Awareness Resource Entity of Arizona (CareAz) is a community-based organization dedicated to reducing the harmful effects of substance use disorder through comprehensive prevention, treatment, recovery, and reentry support. CareAz recognizes that substance use disorder is deeply interconnected with justice involvement, trauma, and systemic barriers, and works to address these challenges through compassionate, coordinated, and community-driven solutions. Through prevention, CareAz provides education, early intervention, and community outreach initiatives that raise awareness of substance use risks, reduce stigma, and promote healthy decision-making. These efforts focus on strengthening protective factors, supporting families, and empowering individuals with the tools needed to prevent substance misuse before it begins. In its treatment efforts, CareAz connects individuals to evidence-based, culturally responsive services that support stabilization and healing. By collabora
- Income
- $917,430
- Spending
- $910,133
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 79%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $135,960, management
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
Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 47% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $330,940 spent. Prevention-The CareAz Prevention Program is guided by the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program is designed to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance misuse and its related consequences while strengthening long-term prevention capacity and infrastructure at the community level. CareAz takes a data-driven, culturally responsive, and collaborative approach to prevention, with a strong focus on youth, families, and underserved communities throughout Apache County. In tribal communities of Apache County, CareAz has successfully engaged community stakeholders to establish the Youth Running Strong Task Force, a multi-sector coalition dedicated to addressing youth substance use. The Task Force includes representatives from education, law enforcement, healthcare, government agencies, parents, students, faith-based organizations, and the business community. Through this collaborative structure, CareAz fosters shared responsibility, community ownership, and coordinated prevention efforts. CareAz is currently working alongside the Task Force to develop and implement culturally aligned, evidence-based prevention programs that strengthen community collaboration, increase social connectivity, and address underlying risk factors such as poverty that contribute to youth substance use disorder. These efforts emphasize cultural relevance, community strengths, and sustainability to ensure meaningful and lasting impact. In non-tribal communities of Apache County, CareAz delivers evidence-based prevention education to adults, youth, and families, focusing on substance misuse awareness, skill-building, and healthy decision-making. Prevention services and resources are also provided to justice-involved individuals, recognizing the critical role prevention plays in reducing relapse and recidivism. CareAz provides these resources through the SOS House, a community-based center serving individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. The SOS House also supports justice-involved individuals by connecting them to prevention education, recovery resources, and reentry support services that promote stability and successful community reintegration upon release. Additionally, CareAz implements the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program in the southern Navajo Nation community of Sanders, Arizona, and surrounding areas. This program supports a community coalition that empowers local stakeholders to prevent youth substance use and delay the onset of alcohol and drug use through coordinated, community-led prevention strategies. Through coalition building, culturally responsive programming, and evidence-based education, the CareAz Prevention Program strengthens community resilience, empowers families and youth, and creates sustainable systems of prevention that reduce substance misuse and promote healthier futures across Apache County.
- $268,888 spent. Community Reentry-The CareAz Reentry Program is designed to support individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration by addressing the complex challenges that often contribute to substance use relapse and recidivism. Grounded in a recovery-oriented and person-centered approach, the program helps individuals build stability, independence, and long-term success while reducing barriers to reentry. CareAz works directly with justice-involved individuals to provide comprehensive case management and individualized reentry planning that begins at release and continues throughout the reintegration process. Participants receive support in navigating critical needs such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, legal obligations, and transportation. By coordinating services across systems, CareAz ensures participants are connected to the resources necessary for a safe and successful transition. Recognizing the strong link between incarceration, substance use disorder, and trauma, the Reentry Program prioritizes recovery support and relapse prevention. Participants are connected to substance use treatment, behavioral health services, peer support, and recovery resources that promote sustained sobriety and overall wellness. CareAz emphasizes accountability, empowerment, and skill-building to help individuals regain confidence and self-sufficiency. The program also focuses on employment readiness and life skills development, offering assistance with job placement, vocational training, resume building, and interview preparation. Participants are supported in developing practical skills such as financial literacy, time management, and decision-makingtools essential for long-term stability and reduced justice involvement. CareAzs Reentry Program is rooted in community collaboration and lived experience. By partnering with local service providers, employers, healthcare organizations, and community stakeholders, CareAz creates a coordinated network of support that promotes dignity, equity, and opportunity. The program is especially responsive to the needs of rural and underserved populations, ensuring individuals have access to culturally responsive and locally relevant resources. Through compassionate support, accountability, and community connection, the CareAz Reentry Program helps individuals rebuild their lives, strengthen families, and contribute positively to their communitiescreating safer, healthier outcomes for everyone.
- $144,786 spent. Housing and Transportation-The CareAz Housing and Transportation Programs are designed to address two of the most critical barriers faced by individuals impacted by substance use disorder and justice involvement: stable housing and reliable transportation. These programs support individuals and families as they work toward recovery, stability, and successful community reintegration, recognizing that basic needs must be met in order for long-term change to occur. CareAzs Housing Support Program assists individuals transitioning from incarceration, treatment, or crisis situations in securing safe, stable, and supportive housing. The program prioritizes justice-involved individuals and those in recovery who are at heightened risk of homelessness due to limited income, criminal history, or lack of rental references. Through individualized case management, CareAz helps participants navigate housing applications, connect with transitional and permanent housing options, understand tenant responsibilities, and address barriers such as prior evictions or legal restrictions. When available, CareAz also assists with short-term housing stabilization supports and referrals to community partners, shelters, sober living environments, and housing authorities. The program emphasizes housing stability as a foundation for recovery, employment success, and reduced recidivism. By coordinating housing with recovery services, employment support, and behavioral health resources, CareAz helps individuals establish a safe and stable living environment that supports long-term wellness. CareAzs Transportation Support Program ensures individuals have reliable access to essential services and opportunities that are often limited in rural and underserved areas of Apache County. Lack of transportation is a significant barrier to employment, treatment, court compliance, and family reunificationparticularly for justice-involved individuals and those in recovery. The program provides transportation assistance and coordination to help participants attend substance use treatment, behavioral health appointments, court obligations, probation or parole meetings, employment interviews, job sites, educational programs, and essential medical appointments. CareAz works closely with community partners and service providers to coordinate transportation in a way that is efficient, timely, and responsive to individual needs. By removing transportation barriers, CareAz increases participant engagement in services, supports accountability, and improves outcomes related to recovery, employment, and reentry success. Together, the Housing and Transportation Programs create a stabilizing support system that enables individuals to focus on recovery, employment, and personal growth. By addressing these foundational needs through compassionate, coordinated, and community-based solutions, CareAz helps individuals and families move toward independence, reduce crisis-driven service use, and build healthier, more resilient communities.
- $82,735 spent. Reentry Employment-The CareAz Reentry Employment Program supports justice-involved individuals as they transition back into the community by helping them overcome employment barriers that often contribute to substance use relapse and recidivism. Recognizing that meaningful employment is a critical component of successful reentry and long-term recovery, the program provides individualized support that promotes economic stability, self-sufficiency, and dignity. Participants receive personalized employment-focused case management beginning at or shortly after release. CareAz works one-on-one with individuals to assess skills, work history, and career goals while addressing barriers such as limited job experience, criminal records, transportation challenges, housing instability, and gaps in education. Employment plans are tailored to each participants strengths and circumstances to support realistic and sustainable outcomes. The program offers job readiness and workforce development services, including resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, workplace expectations training, and soft-skills development such as communication, time management, and accountability. Participants are also connected to vocational training, certifications, and educational opportunities that increase employability and align with local workforce needs. CareAz actively engages local employers and community partners to create employment pathways for justice-involved individuals. By fostering partnerships with businesses willing to offer second-chance employment, the program helps reduce stigma while expanding economic opportunities for participants. CareAz also provides ongoing support to both participants and employers to promote job retention and long-term success. The Reentry Employment Program is closely integrated with recovery support and reentry services, ensuring participants have access to substance use treatment, behavioral health services, peer support, transportation assistance, and other essential resources. This holistic approach addresses the underlying challenges that impact employment stability and supports sustained recovery. Through individualized support, community collaboration, and a strengths-based approach, the CareAz Reentry Employment Program empowers justice-involved individuals to secure meaningful employment, rebuild their lives, and successfully reintegrate into the communitycontributing to reduced recidivism, stronger families, and healthier communities.
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
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 June 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 September 2018.
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.