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Community Friends of Santa Barbara

EIN 95-2094202 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THIS COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION'S VOLUNTEER MEMBERS IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND FUND ONGOING PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
45 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
415

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 45.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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.

  • 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 April 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 (17)
  1. $284,915 spent. OPERATION SCHOOL BELL (STUDENT CLOTHING CONNECTION) - PROVIDES NEW CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND HEALTH KITS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN THAT NEED THIS ASSISTANCE IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
  2. $147,013 spent. TEEN SCHOOL BELL (TEEN CLOTHING CONNECTION) - PROVIDES NEW CLOTHING TO HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NEED IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY.
  3. $105,953 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO AND RECOGNITION OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.
  4. $81,477 spent. HILLSIDE RESIDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM - CFSB PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO THIS RESIDENTIAL FACILITY THAT HOUSES 59 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL OR BRAIN INJURIES.
  5. $67,371 spent. COMMUNITY FRIENDS (COMMUNITY SHARES) PROVIDES DONATED CLOTHING, BOOKS, FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS NOT SOLD IN THE THRIFT SHOP TO SELECTED LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
  6. $55,604 spent. FUN IN THE SUN PROVIDES CLOTHING, TOTE BAGS, WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTION, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO CHILDREN IN NEED FOR SUMMER CAMP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY, INC.
  7. $40,078 spent. SANTA BARBARA SMILES PROVIDES DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND HYGIENE KITS TO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS SPONSORED BY THE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS TO SHELTERS AND HOMELESS FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES AND DENTAL IMPLANTS TO ANCHOR DENTURES FOR SENIORS.
  8. $25,495 spent. FOSTERING FRIENDS PROVIDES CLOTHING, SUPPLIES AND MENTORS TO ASSIST PRE-EMANCIPATINIG AND EMANCIPATING FOSTER YOUTH IN MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.
  9. $22,026 spent. FRIENDSHIP LUNCHEON PROVIDES COMMUNITY SENIORS WITH FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, INSTRUCTIONAL/RECREATIONAL SUPPLIES AND THRIFT SHOP SHOPPING EXCURSIONS.
  10. $21,973 spent. VERY IMPROVED PERFORMERS PROVIDES QUARTERLY LUNCHEONS AND AWARDS TO NOMINATED LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN ACADEMICS, ATTENDANCE, ATTITUDE, CITIZENSHIP, HOMEWORK AND BEHAVIOR.
  11. $14,122 spent. "FAUX PROM", AN ASSISTEEN (TEENSERVE) PROGRAM FOR SENIORS, PROVIDES AN ANNUAL "FAUX PROM" FOR INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES AT A SENIOR FACILITY. SAFE STUDENT SUPPORTS AFTER PROM AT SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOLS AND PROM DRESSES.
  12. $13,228 spent. BEAR HUGS DISTRIBUTES "HUGGY BEARS" TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE TRAUMA THROUGH COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS.
  13. $8,555 spent. OPERATION BOOK SHELF PROVIDES BOOKS, AUDIOTAPES, CDs AND DVDs VIA DELIVERY VISITS TO HOMEBOUND PATRONS AND MONEY TO GOLETA LIBRARY TO PURCHASE LARGE PRINT BOOKS, BOOKS ON TAPE, DVDs, ETC.
  14. $5,890 spent. DISASTER RELIEF OUTREACH SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITY NEEDS DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OR DISASTERS.
  15. $2,669 spent. KIDS ON THE BLOCK PROVIDES PUPPETEER PERFORMANCES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE DISCUSSIONS ON SOCIAL ISSUES AND SAFETY.
  16. $2,129 spent. FAMILY LEARNING CENTER PROVIDES TUTORING & MENTORING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS.
  17. $1,151 spent. ACTION WEEK IS AN ANNUAL EVENT WHERE A SPECIFIC COMMUNITY NEED IS IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESSED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 April 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 July 1950.

    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.