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Happier Life Project Inc

EIN 87-1156043 · Lake Elsinore, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide community support for people and families impacted by substance use disorders and mental health challenges through education, advocacy, and peer-based recovery support services with the intent to normalize recovery.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
22
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$179,474, executive dir.

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 92% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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 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 (5)
  1. $985,736 spent. Peer Support:The Happier Life Project provided comprehensive peer-led recovery support across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. In 2024, peers delivered 1,083 hours of individualized support to 261 unduplicated individuals, including recovery coaching, crisis stabilization, telephonic support, and resource navigation.THLP facilitated 612 recovery groups including All-Recovery Meetings, CRAFT groups, DBSA sessions, grief circles, trauma-processing groups, anger management, mens and womens circles, and Wellbriety. These services reached 1,630 unique individuals and generated more than 3,260 touchpoints. Services strengthened emotional stability, recovery capital, connection, and long-term housing and wellness outcomesPeer services were delivered by certified Peer Support Specialists using trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and recovery-oriented practices. Engagement ORS outcome data: 69 individuals completed at least one assessment 38 completed two or more assessments 25 individuals (66%) showed improvement Median improvement among those who improved was 34%
  2. $319,154 spent. Education, Advocacy & Outreach:THLP conducted bilingual (English/Spanish) and culturally responsive outreach, reentry navigation, community education, and behavioral-health advocacy.In 2024, THLP conducted 116 outreach and reentry events, reaching 11,650 attendees (6,314 unique). Outreach occurred at probation PACT meetings, recovery summits, homelessness events, health fairs, schools, tribal events, and reentry centers.Educational programming included Narcan/overdose response, suicide prevention, harm reduction, emotional regulation, youth empowerment workshops, and anger management. More than 700 individuals participated in THLPs educational programs.Advocacy included participation in county and regional behavioral health coalitions, reentry collaboratives, and recovery-focused planning efforts.This category includes three sub-components:1. Education bilingual training in Narcan, suicide prevention, harm reduction, emotional regulation, youth wellness.2. Outreach probation collaboration, reentry engagement, homelessness outreach, school-based engagement, tribal community outreach.3. Advocacy participation in county recovery planning, SUD committees, reentry coalitions, culturally responsive system-advocacy work.
  3. $188,563 spent. Youth Wellness & Family Services:THLP delivered trauma-informed and culturally grounded youth and family supports, including school-based healing circles, youth empowerment events, youth recovery meetings, leadership development, and college & career workshops.Family programming included 95+ CRAFT-based groups, bilingual loved-ones sessions, parenting resiliency workshops, and stabilization support for families impacted by substance use, mental health, and justice involvement. Over 300 families engaged in youth and family programming, improving communication, reducing crisis, and strengthening household stability.Youth programming included identity-building, healing circles, leadership development, cultural education, and early intervention strategies. Family services included bilingual CRAFT groups, loved-ones circles, and parenting support focused on communication, stability, and emotional resilience.
  4. $23,000 spent. Cultural Wellness & Tribal Healing:THLP partnered with tribal nations on cultural healing initiatives including the Inter-Tribal Wellness & Recovery Campout (supported through a $23,000 sponsorship to the La Jolla Band of Luiseo Indians), Indigenous youth gatherings, ceremonies, and cultural wellness activities.
  5. Volunteers:THLP benefited from more than 2,000 volunteer hours supporting recovery groups, youth programs, cultural events, outreach, and community healing. These hours are valued at over $70,000 and significantly expanded THLPs capacity to serve vulnerable communities.Volunteers serve in group support roles, cultural wellness assistance, outreach events, youth programs, and operational support. THLP maintains structured orientation, supervision, and support for volunteers to ensure safe and effective service delivery.

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

  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 2024.

    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 September 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.