Assistance League of Downey
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 35% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DOWNEY VOLUNTEERS TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $356,592
- Spending
- $326,006
- Spent on programs
- 35%
- Reserves
- 15.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 66%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 98
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1535% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 (5)
- $82,913 spent. H.O.M.E. Housing of Medical Emergencies project is a service provided to the families of patients undergoing rehabilitation at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. A ten-unit facility adjacent to the Medical Center is owned, operated and maintained by Assistance League of Downey and houses family members or out-patients coming from outside the area enabling them to participate in the rehabilitation program.
- $18,665 spent. OTHERS: Hug-A-Bear A program for providing teddy bears to local police and firefighters for distribution following traumatic situations involving children.Scholarship The student Volunteer Scholarship Program is a philanthropic project that shall provide selected graduating seniors at Downey Unified School District high schools with $1,000 scholarships.
- $11,378 spent. Operation School Bell Provides school clothing, a grooming kit, and a school spirit shirt to students in need from the Downey Unified School District who have been referred by their school office managers, counselors, or principals.
- $1,279 spent. Christmas Distribution Distribution of new gifts to agencies providing help to the needy.
- $238 spent. Dental Program Provides low-cost dental care to children in grades K-12 in the Downey Unified School District following an annual elementary school screening by the Downey Dental Academy and/or referral by the school nurse. These are children who do not qualify for Medi-Cal nor are they covered by private insurance. Provides dental health services, consulting and referrals to families of children in need during the school year as identified. Children's services are performed at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.