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North County Lifeline Inc

EIN 95-2794253 · Vista, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND DELIVER SERVICES TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT RESOLVE PROBLEMS, INCREASE SKILLS AND NURTURE SELF-RELIANCE.

Income
$15.9 million
Spending
$16.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
176
Volunteers
145
Highest pay
$300,824, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 (4)
  1. $3.9 million spent. LIFELINES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS AGE UP TO 21 WHO MEET MEDICAL NECESSITY REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO TITLE 9 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE PROVIDED PRIMARILY ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES, IN THE CLIENTS HOME OR AT A LIFELINE CLINIC, AND INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPY; REHABILITATION SERVICES; MEDICATION SUPPORT; CASE MANAGEMENT BROKERAGE; AND CRISIS INTERVENTION AS NEEDED. YOUTH AND FAMILIES ARE CONNECTED WITH MEDICAL, SOCIAL, REHABILITATIVE, OR OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AND SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, LIFELINE OPERATES YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES IN CLINIC OR SCHOOL SITES WITH SIMILAR CRITERIA AS THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
  2. $4.1 million spent. LIFELINE OPERATES PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, CITIES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PREVENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND DETER YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN GANGS AND DRUG ABUSE. THE PROGRAMS SERVE YOUTH APPREHENDED FOR MINOR OFFENSES AND MISDEMEANORS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING COUNSELING, MENTORING, PARENT EDUCATION, AND REFERRALS TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SERVICES.
  3. $2.0 million spent. LIFELINE OPERATES PROGRAMS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY THAT PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, TAX PREPARATION SUPPORT, HOUSING SERVICES, AND GUIDANCE IN DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THESE PROGRAMS ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY ENHANCING FINANCIAL WELLNESS AND PROVIDING HOUSING SUPPORT, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
  4. $3.0 million spent. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION & INTERVENTION LIFELINE PARTNERS WITH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE MEMBERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE 24-HOUR RESPONSE CRISIS SERVICES, ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEX AND LABOUR TRAFFICKING. ADDITIONALLY, LIFELINE PROVIDES PUBLIC AWARENESS EDUCATION, PREVENTION GROUPS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE REGION, AND TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS ENTERING THE FIELD OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.PROJECT LIFEPROJECT LIFE IS AN ADVOCACY PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN AND LABOUR TRAFFICKING. OFFERS TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES THAT INCLUDE VICTIM ADVOCACY, CRISIS MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TRAUMA SPECIFIC TREATMENT, PEER-LED SUPPORT AND EMERGENCY HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL COORDINATION TO MEN, WOMEN AND LGBTQ-IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES. ALSO OFFERS PREVENTION GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS FOR YOUTH AND TRAININGS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO RAISE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND TO GIVE COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO IDENTIFY SIGNS AND REPORT.

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 December 1973.

    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.