Assistance League of Santa Monica
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Assistance League of Santa Monica is a nonprofit organization comprised of member-volunteers who assist children and families in the Santa Monica Bay Area through a variety of philanthropic programs.
- Income
- $546,277
- Spending
- $529,117
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 96
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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)
- $180,431 spent. Student support and campershipStudent Support (Operation School Bell) includes three philanthropies: Eye exams and glasses for needy children and youth, through Optometric Options; 83 students received this service.Emergency clothing is provided for students in the Santa Monica - Malibu and Los Angeles School Districts. Emergency clothing includes underwear, socks, t-shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts which will serve about 400 studneds. This year shoes were provided for 206 students.Backpacks and school supplies were provided for 486 needy students at local elementary, middle and high schools at the beginning of the school year. An additional 220 students received hygiene kits.CampershipA total of 236 students attended either summer or winter sleep-away camp. Each student received a duffel bag that included a sleeping bag and hygiene kit.
- $118,799 spent. ScholarshipsScholarships are awarded to a number of high school students depending upon funds available and financial need. Students may attend academic or trade schools. The counselors at Santa Monica High School, Olympic High School and Santa Monica College assist in identifying students in need and the Scholarship Committee of ALSM selects those to receive this funding. In addition, some funds are set aside for homeless and/or foster youth. Scholarships continue up to four years, as long as the student is in school. This was provided for 39 students for a total of $107,400.
- $59,303 spent. Community Outreach and SupportCommunity Outreach includes donations on a one-time basis, usually in response to an emergency or unique opportunity. Community Outreach provided:Funds to the Village Nation Program to register and transport 50 bussed-in Palisades High School students unable to stay after school for college preparatory classes to a conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara.21 Halloween costumes for the Venice Community Center.82 Prom clothing for seniors at Santa Monica High School.Twenty-six boxes of books to the Salvation Army.60 Books for the Palisades Library, destroyed during the recent fires.Community Support provides resources to ongoing non-profit community partners. It has several projects:Upward Bound House received furnishings for use in 4 apartments in their housing for families transitioning from homelessness.The Westside Food Bank received a cash donation that secured about 80,000 meals.Growing Side by Side, a non-profit corporation providing support for families of neuro-diverse youth, received a donation that covered the cost of 75 families participation.Two non-profit organizations- Bresee Foundation and St. Joseph Center received in-kind donations of clothing and other needed items.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 February 2026.
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 August 1947.
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.