Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Through the Looking Glass

EIN 94-2823116 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS (TLG) IS "TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN & FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES,AND ENCOURAGE RESPECTFUL AND EMPOWERING SERVICES--GUIDED BY PERSONAL DISABILITY EXPERIENCE AND DISABILITY CULTURE--FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN, PARENTS, OR GRANDPARENTS WITH DISABILITY OR MEDICAL ISSUES." TLG PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES, DISABILITY ADAPTATIONS, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT SUPPORT PARENT/INFANT OR CHILD, AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. TLG ALSO CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO SUPPORT IMPROVED PRACTICE WITH FAMILIES WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
79
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$105,000, financial manager

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. INTERVENTION AND CONSULTATION SERVICES: TLG PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES TO ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COUNTY FAMILIES WITH DISABILITY, MEDICAL, OR DEVELOPMENTAL EVELOPMENTAL ISSUES IN INFANT, CHILD,PARENT, EXPECTANT PARENT, OR PARENTING GRANDPARENT/CAREGIVER. IN 2024, 827 CHILDREN/YOUTH (BIRTH TO 21) RECEIVED HOME OR CLINIC VISITS, PROVIDING CHILD DEVELOPMENT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND/OR DISABILITY ADAPTATIONS TO SUPPORT INFANT/PARENT RELATIONSHIPS. CHILDREN ALSO ATTENDED THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS' INCLUSIVE EARLY HEAD START CENTER, ATTENDED PLAY GROUPS, OR RECEIVED MENTAL HEALTH OR DEVELOPMENTAL CONSULTATION REQUESTED BY OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 900 FAMILY MEMBERS RECEIVED SERVICES OR PARTICIPATED IN PARENTING SUPPORT GROUPS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.