The Guardsmen
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 49% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO BE EDUCATIONAL, PHILANTHROPIC AND CIVIC, TO THE END THAT THE MEMBERS SHALL BECOME MORE EFFICIENT IN THEIR HOMES, BROADER IN THEIR SYMPATHIES, AND MORE FORCEFUL IN RAISING THE STANDARD OF CIVIC MORALITY, PARTICULARLY AS IT APPERTAINS TO STANDARDS OF JUVENILE MORALITY, AND TO PROMOTE CIVIC ACTIVITIES WHICH TEND TO COMBAT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; AND TO PROMOTE IN PARTICULAR ATHLETIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS AND TO ASSIST IN THEIR ATTAINMENT OF THE TRUE IDEALS OF SPORTSMANSHIP.
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- 19.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 84%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 350
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 84% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
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.
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 September 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 (3)
- $570,549 spent. CAMPERSHIP PROGRAMEACH SUMMER THE ORGANIZATION HELPS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AND PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN FROM THE GREATER BAY AREA AND FROM VARIOUS ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS ATTEND OUTDOOR AND OVERNIGHT CAMP PROGRAMS. DURING THEIR TIME AWAY FROM HOME, THEY LEARN TO APPRECIATE THE OUTDOORS, PARTICIPATE IN GROUP ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCE PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF JUST BEING A CHILD. ANNUALLY, THESE ACTIVITIES PROVIDE CHILDREN ACCESS TO ACADEMICALLY, CULTURALLY, AND ATHLETICALLY ENRICHING ACTIVITIES THAT THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT ATTEND.
- $558,715 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMTHE GUARDSMEN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 1998 IN AN EFFORT TOPROVIDE A BETTER EDUCATION AND A BETTER CHANCE IN LIFE TO DISADVANTAGED BAY AREA YOUTH. THE PROGRAM PAYS 50% OF TUITION, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,200 ANNUALLY, FOR THEIR RECIPIENTS TO ATTEND A BAY AREA PRIVATE SCHOOL. CHILDREN CAN ENTER THE PROGRAM BETWEEN KINDERGARTEN AND THE 9TH GRADE. ONCE THEY ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM, THEY MAY ONLY RECEIVE FUNDING EACH YEAR THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL IF THEY REAPPLY ANDCONTINUE TO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY SUPPORTS 218 CHILDREN IN 41 SCHOOLS IN 9 BAY AREA COUNTIES. ALL RECIPIENTS QUALIFY AS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES.
- $25,000 spent. Other grants includes miscellaneous donations made during FY24 including tree donations and a $25,000 donation to the Giants Community Fund.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 September 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 October 1948.
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 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.