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Passes our checks

The Narbha Institute

EIN 86-6037149 · Flagstaff, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE SUBCONTRACT, SUPPORTED HOUSING FOR MENTALLY ILL, CONVENER/SUPPORTER IN HEALTH/SOCIAL DETERMINANTS. DRIVE IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS VIA AFFILIATED AGENCY PROVIDING OUTPATIENT, INPATIENT & RESIDENTIAL SVS.

Income
$11.2 million
Spending
$14.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
54.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
13
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$822,513, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (social science, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (5)
  1. $4.4 million spent. THE NORTHERN ARIZONA REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ALLIANCE MEDICAID ACO IS A COLLABORATIVE VENTURE THAT ADVANCES WELLBEING BY CREATING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER NETWORK. USING TARGETED SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE CARE OUTCOMES, PROVIDERS AND THEIR MEMBERS CAN ADVANCE HEALTH, REDUCE COSTS, CREATE BEST PRACTICE MODELS AND MOVE TO AN ENHANCED INCLUSIVE AND EQUITY-BASED SOLUTION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.
  2. $5.7 million spent. THE NARBHA INSTITUTE'S SECOND LARGEST PROGRAM IS ITS PROVISION OF SERVICES, SUPPORT AND GRANTS TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO SERVE PRIMARILY MEDICAID BENIFICIARIES AND INDIGENT POPULATIONS. THIS INCLUDES GRANTS TO SUCH ORGANIZATIONS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED SOCIAL OUTCOMES SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY COMPLIANCE, TIMELY MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, PAITIENT SATISFACTION, HOUSING, CRIMINIAL JUSTICE COORDINATION AND CULTURALLY-COMPETENT SERVICES. REVENUE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRIBUTIONS ON PART VIII, LINE 1E IS $2,419,524.
  3. $939,071 spent. EFFECTIVE AUGUST 27, 2018, THE NARBHA INSTITUTE ENTERED INTO AN AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH THE GUIDANCE CENTER (TGC), A SEPARATE 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, IN WHICH NARBHA BECAME ITS SOLE MEMBER. THERE IS A SEPARATE BOARD TO OVERSEE MANAGEMENT OF TGC. THE GUIDANCE CENTER PROVIDES INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE FLAGSTAFF REGION. UNDER THE AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS, NARBHA PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND SUPPORT AND APPOINTS A MAJORITY OF ITS GOVERNING BOARD.
  4. $702,008 spent. THROUGH A DISREGARDED ENTITY (WELL NORTH COMMUNITIES LLC), THE NARBHA INTITUTE PROVIDES PERMANENT SUPPORTED HOUSING TO APPROXIMATELY 40 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILILES LIVING WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IN NORTHERN ARIZONA. TENANTS PAY AN INCOME-ADJUSTED PORTION OF RENT (WHICH IS OFTEN ZERO) AND RESIDE IN APARTMENTS PURCHSED WITH FUNDING FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERIVCES. WHILE NOT LISTED ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS AN EXPENSE, THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF THESE HEAVILY DISCOUNTED RENTS IS OVER $335,000 PER YEAR EXCLUDING UTILITIES, BASED ON HUD AND SURVEY DATA.
  5. $74,116 spent. THE NARBHA INSTITUTE SUPPORTS SEDI, THE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE OF NORTHERN ARIZONA. SEDI IS A LEADING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION IN THE REGION THAT ENABLES, FACILITATES, AND PARTNERS WITH BUSINESSES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE SOCIAL EQUITY, ECOLOGICAL HEATH, AND PROMOTE A RESILIENT ECONOMY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1968.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.