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Pathfinders of San Diego

EIN 95-2157559 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceFair55 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 PATHFINDERS OF SAN DIEGO,INC. ( A CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT CORPORATION) (THE AGENCY) WAS INCORPORATED AS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION IN 1955 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CARE, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOLISM AND TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER FELLOWSHIPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF ALCOHOLISM.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
28
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$143,546, 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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 114% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $3.1 million spent. THE SOCIAL MODEL RECOVERY SERVICES PROGRAM OF THE AGENCY AIMS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE IN PEER-MANAGED AND DIRECTED, EXPERIENTIAL-BASED AND MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE ALCOHOL RECOVERY SERVICES. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO CONTINUE TO PLAN, DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT INTEGRATED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL SOCIAL MODEL RECOVERY SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LOCATED PRIMARILY IN THE GOLDEN HILL/NORTH PARK/MID CITY AREA OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE SYSTEM INVOLVING SOBERING SERVICES, SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY SERVICES, NON-RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY SERVICES AND SOBER LIVING CENTERS OFFERED IN ONE COMMUNITY BY ANOTHER AGENCY.THE AGENCY'S PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM CONTRACTED WITH THE COUNTY ALCOHOL SERVICES TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY BASED, ENVIRONMENT FOCUSED PREVENTION PROJECT, THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERIAL INEBRIATE PILOT PROJECT (SIPP), NORTH PARK PREVENTION PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE FOR A CONTINUATION OF THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND PREVENTION TRAINING/EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AROUND THE ROLE THE ENVIRONMENT PLAYS IN ALCOHOL PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES FOR CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MINIMIZES ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS.NORTH PARK PREVENTION PROJECT - THE PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL BASED STRATEGIES IN THE COMMUNITY OF NORTH PARK TO COMBAT ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSED. THE AGENCY PROVIDES BOTH PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP TO THIS COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM.SHELTER PLUS CARE I AND II - THE PROGRAM TARGETS HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR MENTAL ILLNESS DISABILITY. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) THAT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION. THE AGENCY PROVIDES ALL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE COMES FROM HUD.SOBER LIVING CENTER - WHEN A RESIDENT COMPLETES AN AGENCY RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM, PATHFINDERS ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO REMAIN IN A PEER-MANAGED, RESIDENT RUN, TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY. THE AGENCY OPERATES EIGHT APARTMENT UNITS ON STREAMVIEW DRIVE IN SAN DIEGO IN WHICH RENT, FURNISHINGS AND UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE. THIS PROGRAM WAS INCORPORATED IN THE SHELTER PLUS CARE PROGRAM.SERIAL INEBRIATE PILOT PROJECT (SIPP) - THE PROGRAM SERVES AS COMMUNITY REFERRAL AND SCREENING RESOURCE. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SCREENING FOR INDIVIDUAL IN NEED OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES TO DETERMINE THEIR NEED FOR PROGRAM SERVICES AND REFER THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE SCREENING AND REFERRAL FUNCTIONS.BUILDING MANAGEMENT - THE AGENCY OPERATES AN 18-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX IN THE NORTH PARK AREA UNDER ONSITE MANAGER SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTERED BY THE CORPORATE OFFICE. PROCEEDS FROM THE OPERATION WERE USED TO SUPPORT THE AGENCY'S RECOVERY FACILITIES.

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 August 1958.

    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.