Peninsula Family Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES THAT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT VARIOUS STAGES OF LIFE. FOUNDED IN 1950, PFS HAS SERVED OUR COMMUNITY FOR 76 YEARS, PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, PROFESSIONALLY-LED, LOCALLY TARGETED (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)SOLUTIONS TO SECURE THE WELLNESS AND STABILITY OF OUR NEIGHBORS. WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES IN FOUR PRIORITY PROGRAM AREAS: EARLY LEARNING, OLDER ADULT SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT.
- Income
- $26.0 million
- Spending
- $23.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 75%
- Employees
- 264
- Volunteers
- 179
- Highest pay
- $308,171, chief executive officer
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $15.4 million spent. EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM OUR EIGHT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS PROVIDE CHILDREN (SIX WEEKS TO FIVE YEARS OLD) FROM LOW-INCOME AND POVERTY-LEVEL FAMILIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS, WITH A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN LEARN, SOCIALIZE, AND THRIVE. WE FUEL THAT GROWTH BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS - A HEALTHY MORNING AND AFTERNOON SNACK, AND LUNCH. THE EARLIEST YEARS OF INFANCY TO PRESCHOOL FORM A CRITICAL GROWTH STAGE WHEN MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OCCURS. TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF SECURING OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE CONCENTRATE OUR EARLY LEARNING EFFORTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND POPULATIONS THAT NEED IT MOST. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS - WE ARE KNOWN FOR EXCELLENCE IN ASSESSMENT AND CUSTOMIZED, TARGETED INTERVENTIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA.SERVING CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS - TWO OF OUR EARLY LEARNING CENTERS ARE DEDICATED TO CHILDREN LIVING IN TRANSITIONAL OR EMERGENCY HOUSING.HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM - WE PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN EACH OF OUR EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS FOR ALL AGES OF OUR CHILDREN: INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOLERS.STEM FROM THE START - PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE IS KNOWN FOR OUR STEM FROM THE START PROGRAM, BUILDING COMPREHENSIVE STEM CURRICULUM AND FULLY TRAINED TEACHERS FOR OUR CHILDREN FROM INFANTS THROUGH SCHOOL-AGE.SCHOOL-AGE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS - WE EXTEND OUR PROGRAM TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AS WE PROVIDE OUR CLUB PROGRAM OF AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 12 (KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADE).FAMILY ENGAGEMENT - WE SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CHILDREN AT HOME BY EDUCATING PARENTS ON HEALTHY PARENTING AND THE LATEST EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES. WE CONNECT FAMILIES TO PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES; WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH PARENTS TO ENSURE THEIR NEEDS AS A FAMILY-UNIT ARE MET; AND EDUCATE PARENTS ON THE LATEST EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES SO THEY CAN NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT DURING THE CRITICAL EARLY YEARS.
- $2.8 million spent. OLDER ADULT SERVICESWE OPEN DOORS TO INDEPENDENCE, WELLNESS, AND ENGAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS. WE CHANGE LIVES BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO CONNECT AND THRIVE.PEER COUNSELING - TRAINED VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS OFFER ONE-ON-ONE OR GROUP SUPPORT AND COMPANIONSHIP TO DIVERSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS (AGED 55+). THE PROGRAM OFFERS SERVICES IN ENGLISH, MANDARIN, SPANISH, TAGALOG, AND TO OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)FAIR OAKS ADULT ACTIVITY CENTER - THE CENTER OFFERS MANY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT EMPOWER OLDER ADULTS TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH, SOCIAL LIVES, AND PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF GROUP SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, FITNESS CLASSES, HEALTH SCREENINGS, INFORMATION, AND ASSISTANCE. THEY MAY ALSO SHARE A NUTRITIOUS LUNCH EACH DAY, AS WELL AS TAKE HOME GROCERIES AND VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN.TECHNOLOGY-BASED SUPPORT - HELP@HAND IS A DYNAMIC PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION FOR OLDER ADULTS IN SAN MATEO COUNTY. "GET-APPY TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS" CONSIST OF SIX CONSECUTIVE WORKSHOPS HELD ONCE A WEEK FOR 1.5 HOURS. THIS INCLUDES 30 MINUTES OF MISCELLANEOUS TECH SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPANTS AS WELL AS A ONE-HOUR WORKSHOP FOCUSED ON A TOPIC. "GET-APPY WORKSHOPS" ARE HELD ONCE A MONTH AND CONSIST OF 1-HOUR TOPICS THAT PARTICIPANTS HAVE CHOSEN.TRANSPORTATION - THE "GOT WHEELS!" PROGRAM PROVIDES SUBSIDIZED, ON-DEMAND TAXI SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE ADULTS (70+) IN TWELVE PENINSULA CITIES. MEMBERS CAN GET SUBSIDIZED RIDES WITHIN THIS GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND TO THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. DRIVERS ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE "ARM IN ARM" SUPPORT AND VEHICLES ARE FULLY ACCESSIBLE FOR PASSENGERS.ON FEBRUARY 25, 2016, PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE INCORPORATED A CALIFORNIA FOR-PROFIT ENTITY, DRIVEFOWARD, LLC ("DF"), TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT LINE OF DEVELOPMENT. PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE IS THE SOLE MEMBER OF DF.
- $475,268 spent. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENTWE OPEN DOORS TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION, SERVICES, AND TOOLS. WE CHANGE LIVES BY EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES.FINANCIAL EDUCATION - FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON BUDGETING, SPENDING HABITS, AND CREDIT BUILDING. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THESE WORKSHOPS BEFORE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OR TOOLS.ACCESSIBLE LOANS - AFTER COMPLETING FINANCIAL EDUCATION, WE PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS TO REBUILD THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES. THIS INCLUDES OFFERING ACCESSIBLE AUTO LOAN OPTIONS, TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY TO PAY BUT HAVE LOW CREDIT SCORES, SUCH AS THE DRIVEFORWARD (AND DRIVEFORWARD ELECTRIC) VEHICLE LOAN PROGRAM WHICH ENABLES THE PURCHASE OF A QUALITY USED VEHICLE.BANKING ALTERNATIVES - INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL BANKING SERVICES CAN ACCESS TOOLS TO REBUILD THEIR CREDIT, SUCH AS ZERO-INTEREST SOCIAL LOANS (LENDING CIRCLES). IN ADDITION, WE OFFER A LOW-COST MONEY MANAGEMENT TOOL, A VISA PREPAID DEBIT CARD, TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO BANK CHECKING ACCOUNTS.YOUTH FINANCIAL WORKSHOP SERIES - THESE WORKSHOPS EMPOWER TEENS TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE OF ADULTHOOD, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO THRIVE AND FACE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES HEAD-ON. PARTICIPANTS GAIN: INDEPENDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, CREDIT MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, AND WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS.
- $139,059 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICESWE OPEN DOORS TO FINANCIAL STABILITY. PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE IS A LEADING ORGANIZATION IN EMPLOYMENT FOR ADULTS AGE 50+ WITH TWO UNIQUE PROGRAMS.THE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) PROGRAM ASSISTS ADULTS AGE 55+ LIVING IN SAN MATEO COUNTY IN THEIR SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT BY PROVIDING GUIDANCE, DIRECTION, RESOURCES, PAID CLASSROOM TRAINING, JOB MATCH UP, AND PLACEMENT.THE MATURE WORKER PROGRAM IS FOR ADULTS AGE 50+ LIVING IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY IN COLLABORATION WITH NOVAWORKS. PARTICIPANTS LEARN AGE-NEUTRAL RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEW STRATEGIES, HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO NETWORK, AND ATTEND SPECIALIZED WORKSHOPS.
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
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 June 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 November 1950.
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.
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