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Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties

EIN 94-2662950 · Watsonville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SENIORS COUNCIL SERVES AS THE SANTA CRUZ AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES AREA AGENCY ON AGING AS SUCH. IT RECEIVES AND ADMINISTERS FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS FOR SENIOR PROGRAMS FUNDS. FROM THESE GRANTS, AWARDS ARE PASSED THROUGH TO SUB-RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPERATES THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT/SENIOR COMPANION AND PROJECT SCOUT PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
17
Volunteers
210
Highest pay
$114,267, 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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $4.0 million spent. THE SENIORS COUNCIL IS AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION THAT ADMINISTERS FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS FOR SENIOR PROGRAMS FUNDS. FROM THESE GRANT, AWARDS ARE PASSED THROUGH TO SUB-RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES.
  2. $1.1 million spent. SENIORS COUNCIL OPERATES THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT/SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE PERSONS 55 AND OLDER IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE BY SERVING CHILDREN, YOUTH AND SENIORS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  3. $122,583 spent. OTHER SENIORS PROGRAMS INCLUDING COMPANION FOR LIFE AND SCOUT.

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 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 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 1980.

    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.