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Mental Health Association in San Diego County

EIN 95-1948185 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak19 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH, PREVENTING MENTAL DISORDERS, AND ACHIEVING VICTORY OVER MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
53
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$125,868, executive director

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

Weak: 19 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 146% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID: AN 8 HOUR CERTIFICATION COURSE DESIGNED TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS THE TOOLS TO RESPOND TO PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES UNTIL PROFESSIONAL HELP ARRIVES AND TO IMPROVE PEOPLES MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY.
  2. VISION CLUBHOUSE: A CLIENT OPERATED REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL CENTER OFFERING SELFHELP SUPPORT GROUPS, LIFE SKILLS, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, VOCATIONAL AND PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.
  3. STRENGTHENING FUTURES PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE PROBATION SYSTEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVE THAT OFFERS IN-HOME MENTAL HEALTH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. STRENGTHENING FUTURES UTILIZES AN EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPEUTIC MODEL CALLED FUNCTIONAL FAMILY THERAPY (FFT). FFT IS A SHORT-TERM, INTENSIVE MODEL FOCUSED ON FAMILY STABILIZATION AND SUPPORT TO HELP YOUTH LIVE STABLE, CRIME-FREE LIVES. THIS STRENGTHS-BASED PROGRAM PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHY FAMILY SYSTEMS AND IMPROVED FAMILY FUNCTIONING.

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 November 1960.

    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.

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.