Hillside House
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide a home that supports our residents efforts to maximize their physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities so that they can achieve the highest individual level of independence in an environment where people are treated with dignity and respect.
- Income
- $9.0 million
- Spending
- $8.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 8.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 121
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $174,260, president/ceo
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: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 (1)
- $7.5 million spent. We have sustained Hillsides core mission to provide a residential and therapeutic learning community for 59 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our residents come to us with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. We specialize in serving those who have medical conditions that require regular nursing care. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality of life for each resident, offering a broad range of therapeutic services to help them achieve the greatest level of their abilities. 24 hour nursing care is essential for our residents to sustain and enjoy life.It has been a year of achievements and challenges and fun at Hillside in 2023Our Program Department continues to provide continuous active treatment to all of our residents on a daily basis. Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies as well as recreational activities are offered throughout the day to those who are unable to attend day programs on a full time basis. The day programs are slowly re-opening providing residents with meaningful activities out of the facility. In addition to the regular therapies and activities held at Hillside, outside entertainment coming in to the facility has resumed. Assistance League Bingo, Move Santa Barbara for bike rides, the Rhythmic Arts Project and friends and family are able to come inside again to visit and enhance the lives of the residents. Participation in Walk N Roll and visits to the Grace Fisher Inclusive Arts Clubhouse were highlights of community activities the residents participated in. Participation in these activities was enhanced by our ability to transport residents in our new van funded by the Santa Barbara Womens Fund. Facilities & DietaryOur facilities department has continued to work hard this year to maintain the building and grounds, updated resident rooms, back yard grounds beautification are a few of the highlights. An extended parking area by Harmony House has eased crowding, an arborist was engaged to trim trees and an Eagle Scout project fence enhanced the front entrance. All staff who use computers at Hillside completed a required cybersecurity training. Shining Lights on Abilities was again a hit with the residents and the Santa Barbara community. The County Fire Department conducted, and Hillside passed, the annual fire inspection. The Dietary Department continues to focus on serving an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and encouraging the residents to make healthy choices. With day programs opening the department is tasked with preparing meals for those remaining at Hillside and packing lunches to go for those going to day programs. We continue to work with two food vendors to ensure we receive the best prices on goods we purchase. The department has put on two barbeques for staff, great food and much appreciation from those who attended.Nursing:Our nursing department continues to provide 24 hour nursing care to our medically fragile residents. Our goal continues to be setting state of the art standards in an efficient and pleasant work environment. Our focus continues to be on recruitment and retention of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants and creating a positive organizational culture based on improvement and success. The Covid State of Emergency has officially ended on the state and federal levels. We have had two employees take advantage of our Tuition Assistance Program and become Certified Nursing Assistants. The Director of Nursing and Administrator continue to work on recruitment attending job fairs and graduation events at nursing schools. The Director of Nursing office has been updated and relocated to be closer to the nursing station.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1947.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.