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Beacon

EIN 95-2690539 · Santa Maria, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REHABILITATION, VOCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT AND ADVOCACY SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Income
$18.7 million
Spending
$17.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
279
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$204,700, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 42% of charities in its peer group (employment, $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 (1)
  1. $15.9 million spent. 2024-2025 Fiscal Year AccomplishmentsThe most significant accomplishment during the 24-25 fiscal year was our merger with LOVARC in February 2025. As a result of this merger, we have become the largest direct employer of individuals with disabilities on Californias Central Coast. Serving a wide regionfrom Camp Roberts in the northern part of San Luis Obispo County to the Joint Forces Training Base in Orange County in the southwe now provide employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities through our five diverse business operations and three state and five federal contracts.Additional accomplishments this fiscal year include the successful renegotiation of several key state and federal contracts. Both the Vandenberg Space Force Base and Naval Base Ventura County landscape maintenance contracts were renegotiated and extended for an additional five-year term, providing long-term stability and predictable revenue. The two Joint Forces Training Base contracts were renewed for one year, and the Camp San Luis Obispo contract was renewed for three years, again helping to stabilize revenue for the next several years.In addition, the long-awaited Department of Developmental Services rate reform took effect during the fiscal year. For the first time in more than ten years, fee-for-service revenue in the LEO Department is now sufficient to fully cover the cost of operations, marking a significant milestone in the programs financial sustainability.We also shifted our outreach and fundraising efforts to Lompoc as part of the merger with LOVARC, participating in the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Queen Contest in lieu of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest. Through this experience, we quickly learned that the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Queen Contest is not structured as a fundraising campaign like the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, but rather serves as an opportunity to increase community visibility and brand recognition.Looking ahead, we anticipate participating in the Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Queen Contest in the coming year as part of our rebranding and marketing efforts, particularly during the spring and summer of 2026, to strengthen community engagement and awareness in the Lompoc Valley.

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 November 6, 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 July 1963.

    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 November 4, 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.