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Ways for Life Inc

EIN 84-3366048 · Melbourne, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO YOUTH FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE AND THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AGES 15-25. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD, WE PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$772,730
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
20
Volunteers
157
Highest pay
$54,669, coo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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

    10 of 10 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, 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 (2)
  1. $572,888 spent. WAYS FOR LIFE EXPANDED ITS HOLISTIC SUPPORT AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING INITIATIVES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH AND THOSE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, GROWING TOTAL YOUTH MEMBERSHIP TO 530 MEMBERS WITH 226 DEPENDENT CHILDREN. THE ORGANIZATION ACQUIRED A SECOND TRANSITIONAL HOUSE, INCREASING PHYSICAL HOUSING CAPACITY TO 8 YOUNG ADULTS ACROSS BOTH PROPERTIES. WAYS ALSO PARTNERED WITH WINGS OF GRACE MINISTRIES TO HELP OPEN CAPERNAUM PLACE, A 24-UNIT ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT COMPLEX LOCATED A HALF-MILE FROM THE MAIN FACILITY, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL PERMANENT HOUSING OPTIONS TO MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.TO ACCOMMODATE EXPANDING SERVICES, WAYS DOUBLED ITS OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FROM ONE FLOOR (5,000 SQ. FT.) TO TWO FLOORS (11,000 SQ. FT.). THIS NEW SPACE ALLOWED FOR THE ADDITION OF A FOUR-ROOM ONSITE MENTAL HEALTH SUITE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COASTAL WELLNESS AND LIFE COACHING, OFFERING FREE THERAPY PURSUANT TO A FORMAL MOU. THE EXPANSION ALSO ADDED A FULL KITCHEN SERVING LUNCH FOUR DAYS A WEEK, WHERE MEMBERS GAIN LIFE SKILLS BY HELPING PREPARE MEALS AND CLEAN UP AFTERWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE EXPANSION PROVIDED A DEDICATED CONFERENCE ROOM FOR STAFF, FAMILY TEAM CONFERENCES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS. THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY WAS FURTHER AMPLIFIED BY 157 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTING 7,650 HOURS OF SERVICE VALUED AT $252,450. WAYS WON THE VICTORY CUP INITIATIVE STORYTELLING BREAKFAST COMPETITION WHICH SECURED OVER $63,000 IN FUNDING AND RELEVANT PHILANTHROPIC CONNECTIONS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.
  2. $22,678 spent. EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS - WAYS FOR LIFE SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCED ITS ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES BY UTILIZING ITS COMPREHENSIVELY EXPANDED PHYSICAL FACILITY. THE EXPANSION ALLOWED THE ORGANIZATION TO TRIPLE THE CAPACITY OF ITS LICENSED GED FASTTRACK PROGRAM, SCALING THE TOTAL INDIVIDUALS SERVED FROM 6 MEMBERS TO 18 MEMBERS SIMULTANEOUSLY.ADDITIONALLY, THE NEW FOOTPRINT ENABLED THE CREATION OF A CAREER EXPLORATION LAB. THIS LAB SPECIFICALLY FOCUSES ON VOCATIONAL AND LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING MEMBERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE CAREER PLANNING TOOLS, INDIVIDUALIZED JOB SEARCH SUPPORT, AND CRITICAL EXPOSURE TO BOTH THE TRADES AND THE MILITARY. THE LAB IS FULLY STAFFED AND OPERATED BY TRAINED WAYS VOLUNTEER CAREER COACHES WHO DELIVER DIRECT MENTORSHIP AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE TO PREPARE MEMBERS FOR SUSTAINABLE INDEPENDENT LIVING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 November 2019.

    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.