Lions Club of Carpinteria
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The main charitable activity of the Organization, which sets it apart from traditional Lions Clubs, is the aquisition, creation, improvement and day to day maintenance and support of the public park ("Lions Park") for the community use. Volunteers contribute their time for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the public park, including providing activities, entertainment and BBQs for major holidays. The Organization also conducts fundraising events to raise funds to support local commuity activities such as scholarships, food and clothing banks, community beautificantion, special target programs for youth and senior citizens, and educational programs. A major focus of the International Lions Assn. is to help people with sight and vision problems to improve their vision. Other health care needs supported include hearing, diabetes and cancer.
- Income
- $233,563
- Spending
- $220,242
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 85
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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 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)
- $202,915 spent. Maintenance of and improvments to property held for the the public use as a public park (approx. 310 hours). Awarded ~$63,000 in contributions to local non-profits.
- $9,891 spent. Community events - Planned and carried out community events for the public on major holidays. Memorial day program (48 hours)July 4th celebration (186 hours)
- $6,522 spent. Volunteer assistance at community events held by other charities/schools in Carpinteria Valley. Rods and Roses (16 hours)Horseshoe tournament to benefit City of Hope (18 hours)Various BBQ volunteering (73 hours)Russell Cup track meet (10 hours)Carp High School FFA auction (12 hours)Boys and Girls Club work party (8 hours)Blood drives (30 hours)Wreaths Across America (24 hours)
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
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 June 2025.
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 September 2012.
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.