Service League of San Mateo County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Service League of San Mateo County is a non-profit agency that develops, coordinates, and delivers in-custody programs, services, and other activities within all San Mateo County jails as well as provides post-release services for inmates. The agency operates an intensive residential substance use disorder program for women and their infants as well as transitional housing for women and men at five program sites in the community.OUR VISION: Our vision is to effectively provide San Mateo County residents and their families with the essential safety net services they need to successfully re-enter the community.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 17.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $229,832, executive dir.
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
Strong: 96 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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)
- $948,944 spent. Hope Houses: Primary residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program: serving women and individuals that are pregnant or with an infant, postpartum, transgender, and gender nonconforming as well as Transitional Housing: 5 sites that serve men, women, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals. Hope Houses are non-profit programs of the Service League of San Mateo County.Hope House SUD Treatment Program: 16 bed and licensed program by the Department of Healthcare Services and Drug Medical certified to provide services for adults and perinatal adults that are assessed at levels 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5. The program is licensed for up to 4 infants. The length of stay is based on medical necessity for addiction with physician oversight. The licensed and certified program staff develops with each participant an individualized treatment plan which addresses their addiction, criminal background and thinking, health and social issues, re-unification and family issues; employment and housing as well and specific their specific needs. The program provides an evidence based curriculum for individuals in San Mateo County, including those who have been involved in the criminal justice system, those referred to our program from the correctional facilities in San Mateo County, San Mateo County Behavioral Health Services, local shelters, detox centers, Child Protective Services (CPS), hospitals, probation and parole departments, community workers and on a self-referral basis.
- $522,756 spent. Corrections: The Service League responds to family questions and concerns regarding their incarcerated family members. Information regarding available services is given to newly jailed persons through orientations regarding the correctional process and various jail procedures including availability of facility programs, such as AA, Narcotics Anonymous, and church services. Various other assistance programs available through the Service League are also discussed. An important agency service is screening for clearance and orientation of persons working in the correctional facilities who are not Sheriff's Office personnel. Part of the Service League's mission, is to develop, schedule, and monitor volunteers and community providers engaged in a broad range of programs and activities inside of the correctional facilities. Outreach to families of inmates is provided in the Maguire Correctional Facility lobby during visiting hours. Families are provided with friendly support, information, referral, and advocacy regarding their concerns. Emergency assistance can be provided through the Service League and other community resources.In-Custody Services: This program coordinates and delivers programs and groups within the various adult correctional facilities in San Mateo County. These programs and groups provide problem-solving, educational and personal growth oriented services. All services exist to provide rehabilitation, education, stress reduction, personal growth, and emergency assistance. Our client population consists of jail inmates, former inmates, and their families. The agency provides the following services: Message requests which provide contact with their families and friends, attorneys, probation officers, employers and others; arranging the release of personal property to family members; arrange notary services; provide writing materials; provide jury clothing; assist with document signatures and photocopying; provide law library services; provide an array of religious services such as scheduling of pastoral visits and marriage information, religious activities, and filling requests for Bibles and Qurans and other religious materials; provide groups and programming in the jail such as Hope Inside which are programs for individuals that are addressing addiction, re-entry and criminal thinking and domestic violence groups.Post-Release Services: The Service League provides the following services; bus tickets for transportation home; drop in services such as food bags and clothing; and bus tickets, motel vouchers, hygiene kits, and information on various community resources which may also include Service Leagues residential or transitional SUD services or transitional housing.
- $366,710 spent. Community:The Organization offers a food pantry, bus passes, and other basic needs including motel vouchers to those in need of such services. Services provided to ex-offenders include guidance, counseling, referral, employment networking to preclude the ex-offender from engaging in illegal activity or antisocial behavior.Transitional Housing: Service League provides safe and affordable housing for individuals at 5 sites. The individuals that successfully graduate from the Hope House SUD residential treatment program have first priority in 2 of our transitional homes. This transitional housing is also available for individuals that have not graduated from our Hope House SUD program but have been referred by partnering agencies or programs and/or are homeless and low income. The other 3 transitional homes usually have individuals that have graduated from outside SUD treatment programs, referred by the homeless shelter or other community organizations, or are self-referred. Requirements to remain in housing consist of the following: complete abstinence from all substances; gainful employment or enrolled in vocational or educational education programs; pay rent based on income (there are special programs for rent reduction and savings program); follow all rules; attend 12-step meetings; and get along in a community environment. The Case Manager through house meetings and/or individual meetings focuses on issues of chemical dependency, personal responsibility, and permanent housing. Some residents participate in outside groups stressing anger management, domestic violence prevention, out-patient or aftercare SUD programs. Communication skills and relapse prevention are stressed through weekly house meetings and close linkages with 12-step groups.
- $123,476 spent. Religious & Children:Train volunteers who provide activities such as religious services to inmates. We additionally help with face to face supervision for the visits between incarcerated parents and their children.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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