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Kindness Initiative

EIN 87-1083852 · La Jolla, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY IN THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH COMMUNITY BY MEETING BASIC PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF VULNERABLE JEWISH HOUSEHOLDS, THROUGH CUSTOMIZED CASE MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS DISTRIBUTION.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$823,804
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
11
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$75,000, executive director (thru 1/2025)

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (2)
  1. $634,670 spent. MEMBER SERVICES:PROVIDE A FULL ARRAY OF SERVICE NEEDS TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD OR UNABLE TO ACCESS A FULL RANGE OF BASIC NEEDS, AND ASSIST IN DEVELOPING PERSONAL DIGNITY AND CONFIDENCE TO ATTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IN 2025, ASSISTED OVER 100 FAMILIES IN NAVIGATING AND ACCESSING A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES THROUGH SERVICE PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS AND MONITORING ANOTHER 250+ FORMER MEMBERS WITH OCCASIONAL NEEDS, INCLUDING HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, NUTRITION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, FINANCIAL AID, LEGAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT, AND MANY OTHER SPECIFIC HOUSEHOLD NEEDS.
  2. $99,771 spent. KINDNESSG'MACH - A GOODS DONATION AND DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AT NO COST TO RECIPIENTS:KINDNESSG'MACH IS A DISTRIBUTION CENTER, OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK WHERE JEWISH FAMILIES FIND CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, TOILETRIES, AND SO MUCH MORE - ALL COST FREE. EXTENSIVE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT ASSISTS IN A PLACE OF BELONGING AND SUPPORT. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IN 2025 OVER 4,000 DONATIONS ARE RECEIVED A YEAR AND ABOUT 4,000 "SHOPPERS" RECEIVE GOODS A YEAR. IN ADDITION, THERE IS AN ONLINE FURNITURE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND A DESIGN AND HOME FURNISHING SERVICE AT NO COST, OVER 100 APARTMENTS WERE FURNISHED DURING THE YEAR AND HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF FURNITURE EXCHANGED.

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

  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 June 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 August 2021.

    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.