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Abilityfirst

EIN 95-1690983 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ABILITYFIRST PROVIDES A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. WE DO THIS BY CREATING TARGETED PROGRAMMING TO HELP AN INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULT LIFE.

Income
$17.0 million
Spending
$20.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
29 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 65%
Employees
489
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$251,029, chief operating officer

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $7.1 million spent. ABILITYFIRST OPERATED FIVE COMMUNITY CENTERS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SERVING 1229 CHILDREN AND ADULTS. OUR PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMS EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO DISCOVER WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. PROGRAMS INCLUDED ADULT DAY SERVICES, AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH, SOCIAL RECREATION PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY AQUATICS.
  2. $6.7 million spent. ABILITYFIRST'S SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED 360 ADULTS AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES WITH VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS, JOB PLACEMENT AND ON-THE-JOB SUPPORT IN COMPETITIVE INDUSTRIES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE COLLEGE TO CAREER PROGRAM SUPPORTED 82 STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IN ADDITION TO THE STUDENT'S ACADEMIC COURSEWORK, THE PROGRAM INCORPORATED SELF-DISCOVERY AND COMMUNITY EXPLORATION TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR ACADEMIC AND CAREER GOALS. THE POSSABILITY PROGRAM SERVED 74 ADULTS IN PASADENA AND LOS ANGELES THROUGH COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, VOLUNTEERING, AND INTEREST-BASED ACTIVITIES.
  3. $1.8 million spent. CAMP PAIVIKA, LOCATED IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS, OFFERED OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING SWIMMING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, ADAPTIVE SPORTS, NATURE, AND THEATER ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITIONAL TO TRADITIONAL SLEEP-AWAY SUMMER CAMP, CAMP PAIVIKA OFFERED VIRTUAL "PAIVIKA AT HOME" CAMP ALONG WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, SKI, MOM'S, AND WEEKEND CAMPS DURING THE NON-SUMMER MONTHS. IN 2024, CAMP PAIVIKA SERVED 486 INDIVIDUALS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 December 2002.

    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.