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The Arc of San Diego

EIN 95-1863913 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARC OF SAN DIEGO SUPPORTS AND EMPOWERS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR LIFE GOALS.

Income
$39.8 million
Spending
$39.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
1,032
Volunteers
198
Highest pay
$261,993, ceo

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (5)
  1. $16.2 million spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: THIS PROGRAM IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN A VARIETY OF SKILLS THAT WILL PREPARE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE TYPE OF WORK THEY WANT. THEY GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WORKING ON A VARIETY OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTS, JANITORIAL, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, FOOD SERVICES, AND RECYCLING JOBS.
  2. $9.3 million spent. ADULT DAY SERVICES: THE ARC OF SAN DIEGO'S DAY TRAINING PROGRAMS COMBINE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WITH COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. FAMILIES, SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CENTER SOCIAL WORKERS, AND THE ARC STAFF HELP DEVELOP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES THAT LEAD TO A BETTER FUTURE. THE ARC OF SAN DIEGO PAYS SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PERSONAL NEEDS AND PREFERENCES. EVERY WEEK, A SCHEDULE STRUCTURED AROUND INTEREST AND OBJECTIVES, IS PREPARED. THE ARC STRESSES SELF-ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENCE. ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO USED TO FACILITATE DAILY LEARNING. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS MIGHT INCLUDE SERVICES FROM SPEECH THERAPISTS AND BEHAVORIAL SPECIALISTS.
  3. $6.4 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: THE ARC OF SAN DIEGO'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ADMINISTERS 10 HOMES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE HOUSING NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE ARC OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTIAL SERVICES SUPPORTS PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN THEIR DESIRE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN AND BE PART OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. ARC STAFF WORK ONE ON ONE WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL MAINTAINING A CLOSE AND CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP. ARC STAFF PROVIDE DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE BASED ON EACH PERSONS NEED AND IDENTIFIES RESOURCES ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF ONES LIFE. THIS INCLUDES PAYING THE RENT AND BILLS, COOKING HEALTHY MEALS, AND USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO WORK, TO THE SUPERMARKET, OR OTHER RECREATIONAL OUTINGS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. RESPITE SERVICES, & SPECIAL PROGRAMS.EXPENSES $1,184,567. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $0. REVENUE $1,473,680
  5. $843,274 spent. EARLY INTERVENTION:EXPENSES $843,274. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $0. REVENUE $987,843

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

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