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Help of Ojai

EIN 95-2872549 · Ojai, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Help of Ojai's (the Organization) mission is to combine community and individual resources to respond to the identified, unmet basic human needs of the Ojai Valley residents. The Organization is dedicated to assisting Ojai Valley citizens through various programs, including Home Delivered Meals, hot noon congregate meal, various supportive services and local travel. In addition, the Organization runs the local homeless service center and low-income assistance program. Help of Ojai's primary goal is to meet basic needs with 65% of its efforts being targeted at providing food, shelter and access to medical care. On the other hand, 20%, 11% and 4% of Help of Ojai's efforts are targeted at providing case management, support services and activities-based programs, respectively.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
22
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$97,017, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 (7)
  1. $379,963 spent. VALLEY OUTREACH The program offers resource and referral services to housed low-income residents of the Ojai Valley. In 2024/2025, VO provided 3,648 brown bag lunches for clients who are unsheltered, provided 400 boxes to families who are food insecure, and assisted 121 families in receiving subsidized energy, such as gas and electric services. In 2024/2025, Valley Outreach served around 3,045 clients.
  2. $294,229 spent. HOME DELIVERED MEALS - Hot meals on a daily basis to seniors or other qualified; delivered by volunteers.In 2024/2025 Help of Ojai served approx. 22,066 hot meals to seniors in the Ojai Valley, of which 15% were congregate meals and 85% were home delivered meals.
  3. $247,713 spent. 2nd HELPINGS - Thrift store outlet used for merchandise sold to the community and provide volunteer activities for seniors. In 2024/2025, 47 volunteers served the community by providing goods to low-income families, as well as the previously homeless, who are establishing first-time households.
  4. $192,722 spent. TRANSPORTATION - Provide transportation to/from seniors' homes to the market, doctor, etc. Volunteers drive and donations are received. In 2024/2025, Help of Ojai provided around 6,400 rides to 161 seniors.
  5. $141,470 spent. DONATION CENTER- Donations are received, sorted, cleaned, and sent to the 2nd HELPings Thrift Store or programs through the donation center.
  6. $140,520 spent. WEST CAMPUS - Leased County property used for Senior Nutrition, 2nd HELPings donation processing and rental revenue.
  7. $118,053 spent. SENIOR ACTIVITIES - General recreational and educational activities were provided for over 1,588 seniors at the Montgomery Street location. In 2024/2025 Help of Ojai's Montgomery Street hosted an average of 11 different weekly activity groups.

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 September 1980.

    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.