California Reentry Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CRI BELIEVES THAT THERE HAS TO BE A COHESIVE TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION TO FREEDOM. IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, OUR GRADUATES MUST HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO UPON THEIR RELEASE. A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN CONTINUE THE WORK THEY HAVE STARTED AND HAVE ASSISTANCE WITH ADJUSTING TO LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE,GAINING EMPLOYMENT, AND RECONNECTING WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE-LONG SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND ASSISTANCE.
- Income
- $145,697
- Spending
- $124,039
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 21.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 20
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes -0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (3)
- $26,226 spent. CRI's Pre Release Program: Our Pre-Release Program is a minimum 18-24 month weekly program run by an experienced team with strong curriculum designed to provide insight, education, life skills and comprehensive individual case management. Men who voluntarily enter our program are helped to understand who they were, what they did (understanding the pain and suffering that they have caused), who they are and can be and where they are going, preparing a road map to successfully get there and stay the course.
- $73,331 spent. CRI's Post Release Program: Upon their release we are there for the men who have worked so hard and graduated from our Pre-Release program. We arrange for someone to be there from the first moment to assist them with the basics needs that are proven vital to their reentry success. These include Transportation; Clothing; Food and Amenities; Financial Resources; Documentation; Employment and Education; Health Care; Life Skills; Addiction and Recovery Aftercare; any and all assistance required as well as continued individual case management.
- CRI's Sharing the Truth with Youth program is built on the belief that mentoring, sharing and caring are key to providing a more hopeful future to our youth. This program starts inside San Quentin State Prison where youth offenders of all ages and stages of incarceration share with youth in society the things they wish they had known at a younger age - things that could have changed the trajectory of their lives. Through this program, these men get the chance to speak directly to youth in schools and organizations out here in society. California Reentry Institute brings our moving documentary as well as some of these and other formerly incarcerated youth offenders to share their stories and answer any and all questions in the hopes that we can help change the trajectory of their lives and help them not make the same mistakes.
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 October 13, 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 November 2009.
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 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.