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Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Inc

EIN 95-2224265 · 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

It is the mission of Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) to provide superior health care for and improve the health care of our communities through a commitment to our core values of excellence, integrity, and compassion. SYVCH is a rural hospital and is designated a critical access hospital. The hospital provides critical emergency services which allow for local stabilization of the patient and transfer to an affiliated hospital that provides a higher level of care.

Income
$35.8 million
Spending
$29.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
22.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
124
Volunteers
71
Highest pay
$2.1 million, 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 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)
  1. $25.4 million spent. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital is a 11-bed acute-care hospital located in the rural area known as the Santa Ynez Valley. In 2024, the Hospital had 485 patient days, served 32,037 outpatients including emergency services to 11,168 patients. The Hospital provided essential emergency treatment, inpatient acute care, outpatient surgical services, imaging diagnostic services, infusion services and cardiac rehabilitation services to the residents of the Santa Ynez Valley, including the communities of Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, and Ballard. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital provides emergency services to anyone seeking care, regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital is diligent in ensuring that all patients have adequate access to care. All patients who do not present with insurance are automatically screened for eligibility in government health programs and are assisted in applying for financial assistance if the patient does not qualify for any other assistance. Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital provides critical funding for community health and education with external grants, while also realizing shortfalls Medi-Cal and indigent care. External grants were provided which aimed at specific community needs for at risk populations (indigent; substance abuse recovery; elderly; family counseling). In addition, the hospital provides support of nursing education, provides low cost exercise program for seniors, supports a local health fair and the provision of flu shots to the community. In 2024 the hospital spent over $3.5 million on these programs .

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 April 1964.

    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.