Isaacs Room
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ISAAC'S ROOM EXISTS TO HELP DIVESTED YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD THE CAPACITY TO RISE TO LIFE'S CHALLENGES. WE PROVIDE EXPERIENCES THAT DEVELOP CHARACTER, CONFIDENCE, AND PRACTICAL SKILLS WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT ENCOURAGES EACH INDIVIDUAL TO BECOME THE HERO OF THEIR OWN STORY AND A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO SOCIETY. OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BUILDING CRITICAL JOB SKILLS THROUGH A TEAM BASED INTERNSHIP AT THE IKE BOX COFFEE SHOP, THE FAMILY BUSINESS OF ISAAC'S ROOM. IN ADDITION TO HANDS ON WORK EXPERIENCE, WE PROVIDE ONE ON ONE MENTORSHIP, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, PERSONAL WELLNESS TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT LONG TERM SUCCESS. A DIVESTED YOUNG PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN LEFT FEELING POWERLESS TO FACE LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE OR EFFECTIVENESS. THIS CAN RESULT FROM EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS FOSTER CARE, DISRUPTED EDUCATION, POVERTY, ADDICTION, OR INCARCERATION, OR FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 62%
- Employees
- 85
- Volunteers
- 65
- Highest pay
- $118,916, executive di
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
Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $1.6 million spent. THE IKE BOX IS THE DOWNTOWN SALEM HOME OF ISAAC'S ROOM. IT IS A SPACIOUS COFFEE HOUSE LOCATED IN A DELIGHTFULLY QUIRKY 100 YEAR OLD BUILDING THAT BEAUTIFULLY REFLECTS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF TRANSFORMATION. THE BUILDING ITSELF SYMBOLIZES HOW A PLACE, OR A PERSON, ONCE CONSIDERED BEYOND HELP OR HOPE CAN BE RESTORED AND BECOME A VALUED PART OF THE COMMUNITY. THE IKE BOX SERVES THE MISSION STRATEGICALLY AS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, OPERATING AS A BUSINESS THAT GENERATES BOTH FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS. AS THE FAMILY BUSINESS OF ISAAC'S ROOM, IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE, DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, AND INTERACT WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY, WHILE ALSO CREATING A SOURCE OF SELF FUNDING THAT STRENGTHENS AND SUSTAINS THE ORGANIZATION. THE IKE BOX IS THE DOWNTOWN SALEM HOME OF ISAAC'S ROOM. IT IS A SPACIOUS COFFEE HOUSE LOCATED IN A DELIGHTFULLY QUIRKY 100 YEAR OLD BUILDING THAT BEAUTIFULLY REFLECTS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF TRANSFORMATION. THE BUILDING ITSELF SYMBOLIZES HOW A PLACE, OR A PERSON, ONCE CONSIDERED BEYOND HELP OR HOPE CAN BE RESTORED AND BECOME A VALUED PART OF THE COMMUNITY. THE IKE BOX SERVES THE MISSION STRATEGICALLY AS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, OPERATING AS A BUSINESS THAT GENERATES BOTH FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS. AS THE FAMILY BUSINESS OF ISAAC'S ROOM, IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE, DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, AND INTERACT WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY, WHILE ALSO CREATING A SOURCE OF SELF FUNDING THAT STRENGTHENS AND SUSTAINS THE ORGANIZATION.
- $149,882 spent. ISAAC'S ROOM SERVES DIVESTED YOUTH, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON LOW INCOME YOUTH, THOSE IN FOSTER CARE, YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME DISENGAGED FROM EDUCATION. MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE VIEWED AS A GROWING BURDEN ON SOCIAL SYSTEMS, YET THEY REPRESENT AN ENORMOUS AND OFTEN UNTAPPED RESOURCE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES. A DIVESTED YOUNG PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO FEELS POWERLESS TO FACE LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE OR EFFECTIVENESS. WHETHER THEY ARE VICTIMS OF DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OR EXPERIENCING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR OWN DESTRUCTIVE CHOICES, MANY ARE ON A PATH TOWARD ADULTHOOD WITHOUT THE SKILLS OR SUPPORT NEEDED TO SUCCEED, CREATING SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL COSTS. BEHIND THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH NAMES, STORIES, AND DREAMS. THEY MAY APPEAR TOUGH ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT MANY ARE SIMPLY CHILDREN IN ADULT BODIES WHO ARE UNCERTAIN AND AFRAID ABOUT WHAT THEIR FUTURE HOLDS. ISAAC'S ROOM IS COMMITTED TO CHANGING THAT TRAJECTORY BY INSPIRING YOUTH TO INVEST IN MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, EMBRACE CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITIES, AND PARTICIPATE IN EXPERIENCES THAT BUILD CHARACTER, PRACTICAL SKILLS, AND SELF CONFIDENCE. THE GOAL IS TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO CREATE A FUTURE WORTHY OF THEIR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS. ISAAC'S ROOM SERVES DIVESTED YOUTH, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON LOW INCOME YOUTH, THOSE IN FOSTER CARE, YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME DISENGAGED FROM EDUCATION. MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE VIEWED AS A GROWING BURDEN ON SOCIAL SYSTEMS, YET THEY REPRESENT AN ENORMOUS AND OFTEN UNTAPPED RESOURCE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES. A DIVESTED YOUNG PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO FEELS POWERLESS TO FACE LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE OR EFFECTIVENESS. WHETHER THEY ARE VICTIMS OF DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OR EXPERIENCING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR OWN DESTRUCTIVE CHOICES, MANY ARE ON A PATH TOWARD ADULTHOOD WITHOUT THE SKILLS OR SUPPORT NEEDED TO SUCCEED, CREATING SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL COSTS. BEHIND THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH NAMES, STORIES, AND DREAMS. THEY MAY APPEAR TOUGH ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT MANY ARE SIMPLY CHILDREN IN ADULT BODIES WHO ARE UNCERTAIN AND AFRAID ABOUT WHAT THEIR FUTURE HOLDS. ISAAC'S ROOM IS COMMITTED TO CHANGING THAT TRAJECTORY BY INSPIRING YOUTH TO INVEST IN MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, EMBRACE CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITIES, AND PARTICIPATE IN EXPERIENCES THAT BUILD CHARACTER, PRACTICAL SKILLS, AND SELF CONFIDENCE. THE GOAL IS TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO CREATE A FUTURE WORTHY OF THEIR HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS.
- $256,658 spent. IKE QUEST IS A PROGRAM OF ISAAC'S ROOM THAT PROVIDES THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO DIVESTED YOUTH AND HAS DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS IN ENGAGING THEM IN THE PURSUIT OF MAKING LIFE BETTER BY TRANSFORMING THEIR THINKING, DEVELOPING HEALTHIER HABITS, AND ULTIMATELY CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIVES. IKE QUEST IS BUILT ON A STRENGTH BASED PHILOSOPHY THAT EMPHASIZES BUILDING CAPACITY RATHER THAN SIMPLY FIXING PROBLEMS. CHALLENGES BECOME MORE MANAGEABLE WHEN PAIRED WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT COMES FROM UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT AND THE MOTIVATION OF A MEANINGFUL PURPOSE. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE NEED PRACTICAL RESOURCES LIKE FOOD, SHOES, AND JOB SKILLS, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEED THE ABILITY AND CONFIDENCE TO OBTAIN THOSE THINGS FOR THEMSELVES. THROUGH PROVEN BEST PRACTICES, IKE QUEST HELPS PARTICIPANTS MOVE FROM BEING PERCEIVED AS LIABILITIES TO BECOMING VALUABLE ASSETS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS A RESULT, YOUTH ARE GETTING OFF PROBATION AND COURT ROSTERS, ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING SOBRIETY, IMPROVING THEIR OVERALL WELLNESS, RETURNING TO AND COMPLETING SCHOOL, SECURING EMPLOYMENT, AND BECOMING ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO BOTH COMMERCE AND CULTURE. IKE QUEST IS A PROGRAM OF ISAAC'S ROOM THAT PROVIDES THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO DIVESTED YOUTH AND HAS DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS IN ENGAGING THEM IN THE PURSUIT OF MAKING LIFE BETTER BY TRANSFORMING THEIR THINKING, DEVELOPING HEALTHIER HABITS, AND ULTIMATELY CHANGING THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIVES. IKE QUEST IS BUILT ON A STRENGTH BASED PHILOSOPHY THAT EMPHASIZES BUILDING CAPACITY RATHER THAN SIMPLY FIXING PROBLEMS. CHALLENGES BECOME MORE MANAGEABLE WHEN PAIRED WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT COMES FROM UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT AND THE MOTIVATION OF A MEANINGFUL PURPOSE. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE NEED PRACTICAL RESOURCES LIKE FOOD, SHOES, AND JOB SKILLS, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEED THE ABILITY AND CONFIDENCE TO OBTAIN THOSE THINGS FOR THEMSELVES. THROUGH PROVEN BEST PRACTICES, IKE QUEST HELPS PARTICIPANTS MOVE FROM BEING PERCEIVED AS LIABILITIES TO BECOMING VALUABLE ASSETS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS A RESULT, YOUTH ARE GETTING OFF PROBATION AND COURT ROSTERS, ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING SOBRIETY, IMPROVING THEIR OVERALL WELLNESS, RETURNING TO AND COMPLETING SCHOOL, SECURING EMPLOYMENT, AND BECOMING ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO BOTH COMMERCE AND CULTURE.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 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 December 1999.
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 November 4, 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.