Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Channing House

EIN 94-1485533 · Palo Alto, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CHANNING HOUSE BELIEVES THAT OLDER ADULTS THRIVE IN A VIBRANT SETTING THAT SUPPORTS ACTIVE, ENGAGED AND HEALTHY LIVING. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY THAT PROMOTES THIS LIFESTYLE, WHILE EMBRACING RESPECT AND DIGNITY FOR ALL WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE.

Income
$32.3 million
Spending
$34.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-54.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
242
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$417,047, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 105% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $27.1 million spent. PROVIDE HOUSING, ASSISTED LIVING, AND SKILLED NURSING SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE DINING SERVICES, MAINTENANCE, HOUSEKEEPING, AND NURSING CARE. DURING FY2026 WE SERVED AN AVERAGE OF 237 RESIDENTS WITH A TOTAL OF 6,082 SERVICE DAYS OF SKILLED NURSING; 10,428 SERVICE DAYS OF ASSISTED LIVING; AND 72,749 DAYS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES.
  2. CHANNING HOUSE HOSTS VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND PARTNERS IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS. WE COORDINATE WITH THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AND WITH SANTA CLARA COUNTY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND ACT AS A BACK-UP OPERATIONAL COMMAND CENTER IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL (OR OTHER) DISASTER. OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTS MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME. EXPENSES PERTAINING TO THESE PROGRAMS ARE NEGLIGIBLE AND COULD NOT BE REASONABLY QUANTIFIED.

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 October 13, 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 October 1978.

    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 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.