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Sahara Programs

EIN 93-3887758 · Chandler, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Providing healthcare, education, life skills training, and domestic violence support to underserved

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$835,715
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
24
Volunteers
136
Highest pay
$82,658, ceo and executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 236% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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

    11 of 11 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 February 28, 2026, 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 (4)
  1. $330,162 spent. Safe Haven Program During Fiscal Year 2025, Sahara Programs Safe Haven Program provided emergency shelter and comprehensive support to 164 survivors of domestic violence, including 103 adults and 61 children. The program provided 5,760 nights of emergency shelter, served 8,640 meals, developed 39 individualized safety plans, and delivered 1,053 case management sessions. As a result, 38 participants secured permanent housing, 207 obtained employment or job support, 6 accessed educational opportunities, and 27 were connected to long-term support services, helping survivors achieve greater safety, stability, and independence.
  2. $238,155 spent. Family Empowerment Program During Fiscal Year 2025, Sahara Programs Family Empowerment Program helped approximately 13,800 households through financial assistance, housing stabilization, and family support services. The program assisted 98 households with housing stabilization, supported 87 individuals in obtaining employment or workforce training, and conducted 2 educational and life-skills workshops to promote long-term financial stability and self-sufficiency.
  3. $189,324 spent. Free Medical, Dental & Mobile Clinic Program During Fiscal Year 2025, Sahara Programs Free Medical, Dental & Mobile Clinic Program expanded access to healthcare by serving approximately 210 patients, providing 320 dental visits, conducting 2,385 preventive health screenings, assisting 54 individuals with AHCCCS enrollment, making 32 healthcare referrals, hosting 21 community health fairs, and reaching approximately 4,300 community members through health education and outreach.
  4. Community Education & Volunteer Engagement During Fiscal Year 2025, 136 volunteers contributed approximately 680 hours of service, supporting Sahara Programs charitable mission across its various programs. The organization also conducted 132 educational workshops, classes, and community presentations, reaching approximately 396 participants with education on domestic violence prevention, health awareness, financial empowerment, and available community resources.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 November 6, 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 February 2026.

    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 December 2023.

    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 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.