Riekes Center for Human Enhancement
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Athletic Fitness and Nature Awareness, in an environment of non-judgment and mutual respect. Each persons uniqueness and potential is celebrated. The Riekes Center thrives on providing transformational outcomes for our students.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $5.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -11.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 46%
- Employees
- 88
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $226,185, exec director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 48% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
- $1.6 million spent. The Riekes Center focuses on achievable and measurable results. Students benefit from individualized programs that build strength, speed, flexibility and endurance, while preventing injury. Our athletic programs rely on evaluations and video-based bio-mechanical analysis to measure improvement. Our programs are individually tailored to meet each of our students needs and goals, in an atmosphere where all students, goals, and interests are equally important.Our comprehensive approach creates better athletes, stronger team players, and more motivated and confident individuals. Our programs utilize the best technologies, highly developed learning theories, and latest advancements in areas such as physiology, nutrition and the mechanics of movement.
- $1.0 million spent. The Riekes Center Nature Awareness Department provides nature immersion opportunities that focus on fun, adventure, and life-long learning. We strive to build strong affinities between people and the natural world. We provide participants from age 0 (yes we have pregnant moms in our programs) to 99 with the opportunity to explore an interest or pursue a passion in wilderness living, outdoor study, and recreation. Whether you want to backpack in the desert of Death Valley, surf the Pacific Ocean, study the natural history of California, track weasels along a river bank, make fire by rubbing two sticks together, teach your classroom more about their schools back yard or enrich your personal nature hikes, we have the program for you.
- $781,335 spent. The Riekes Center Creative Arts Department is committed to providing the best possi- ble opportunity for participants to define and accomplish their goals in the Creat- ive Arts. Guided by a professional staff of artist-educators, students are able to explore their interests and pursue their passions in an environment of support and mutual respect. We offer Music Instruction, Video Production, Visual Art, Photo- graphy, Ezine (digital magazine publishing), Electronic Music, Hip Hop and Spoken Word programs. Creative Arts students have (1) Shown their work on PBS, (2) Entered and won awards at film festivals, (3) Made a trailer that was chosen for a Star Wars Movie, (4) Gone on to UCLA and USC Film Schools, (5) Attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, (6)Been cast on the hit TV series Glee as a regular band member, (7) Started their own film festivals, (8) Written/arranged/produced their own CDs.
- $464,300 spent. The Student Services Department offers Riekes Center students useful opportunities to become more involved with the community. Students can gain valuable leadership and life skills while working in a fun environment with a supportive team. Participants can volunteer, receive accredited community service hours, work in trade for program tuition, or train towards becoming a future Riekes Center staff member. As a student worker, participants receive all of the benefits of being a Riekes Center student, as well as the joys of being a peer mentor and role model for others. We have many positions available, and we can tailor the program to meet students' needs.[continued on Schedule O]
- Student Services (continued)Student workers at the Riekes Center learn communication skills by giving tours of the Center, taking lunch orders, and helping other students to achieve their goals. They learn how to run a grill and cook pizza in our outdoor oven. Students also manage the live sound at our monthly concerts, answer phones, assist at the front desk, and help take care of the gardens at the Riekes Center.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.