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Mental Health America of California

EIN 94-1393424 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
13
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$190,604, president & ceo

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $739,674 spent. CALIFORNIA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT NETWORK: CREATE A STATEWIDE YOUTH ADVOCACY NETWORK TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.
  2. $384,633 spent. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION FOR PEER SUPPORTERS ACADEMY: TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS THROUGH A STATE APPROVED 80-HR CURRICULUM, ASSIST WITH EMPLOYMENT COACHING AND JOB/VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT. PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORK WITHIN THE MENTAL HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FIELD USING THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE AS PART OF THEIR JOB TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE MENTAL HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH JOURNEY.
  3. $371,087 spent. ADVOCACY: EDUCATE STATE AND COUNTY ELECTED LEADERS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 June 1959.

    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.