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Olive Crest

EIN 95-2877102 · Santa Ana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1973, OLIVE CREST HAS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF OVER 300,000 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN CRISIS, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DAILY THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. WE WORK TIRELESSLY TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF KIDS IN CRISIS BY PROVIDING SAFE HOMES, COUNSELING, AND EDUCATION FOR BOTH YOUTHS AND PARENTS.

Income
$110.2 million
Spending
$85.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 36%
Employees
1,094
Volunteers
648
Highest pay
$426,868, ceo/president

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (mental health, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 32% of charities in its peer group (mental health, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $29.9 million spent. SAFE HOMES: PROGRAMS THAT TEMPORARILY PROVIDE A SAFE HOME FOR A CHILD. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE FOSTER CARE, RESIDENTIAL GROUP HOMES, SIBLING COTTAGES, AND TRANSITIONAL YOUTH HOUSING PROGRAMS.
  2. $24.7 million spent. EQUIPPING: PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO CHILDREN. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND EDUCATION AT OLIVE CREST ACADEMY.
  3. $13.1 million spent. STRONG FAMILIES: PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE PERMANENCY AND COMMUNITY TO A CHILD AND THEIR FAMILY. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CAREGIVER SUPPORT, VISITATION, IN-HOME SERVICES, WRAPAROUND, ADOPTION AND ADOPTION PROMOTION AND SUPPORT.
  4. $3.3 million spent. PREVENTION: PROGRAMS THAT AIM TO PREVENT SEPARATION FROM THE BIOLOGICAL FAMILY. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR HOSTING PROGRAMS, PARENTING EDUCATION, OUR DROP-IN CENTERS, AND OUR FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAMS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.