Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
It's Sanctuary Centers mission to provide our clients with powerful, comprehensive, transformative mental health care. Our compassionate and experienced clinical team provides each and every client with a diverse array of proven treatment services designed to ensure success.
- Income
- $10.9 million
- Spending
- $6.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 27.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 60%
- Employees
- 59
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $253,137, president & 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.6 million spent. Arlington Day Treatment Center: the purpose of the Arlington Day Treatment Center is to provide support, education, treatment, and a solid foundation from which clients can gain and maintain stability in their lives. The Arlington program consists of a variety of therapy groups/process groups, some using evocative materials, as well as psycho-educational, socialization and therapeutic recreational groups. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, 267 people were treated at the Arlington facility.
- $1.4 million spent. Enhanced Care Management: The ECM program aims to address the clinical and nonclinical needs of high cost and high need MediCal (CenCal) recipients through community-based, person centered care. Operating out of the recently reopened Integrated Health Clinic, which also helps members access affordable health care in the Santa Barbara community. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, 1,150 people were treated by the ECM Program.
- $1.1 million spent. Sanctuary House: for adults who do not need (or prefer an alternative to) psychiatric hospitalization but who are unable to live independently. Sanctuary House provides attractive surroundings with an ideal combination of privacy and family atmosphere. The Sanctuary House program services a maximum of 12 adults who are experiencing emotional difficulties with or without substance abuse issues. The program focuses on teaching clients independent living skills and socialization skills necessary for successful community living. In addition, Sanctuary House provides a comprehensive clinical program designed to help clients cope with intra-psychic issues that interfere with an independent lifestyle. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, 21 people were treated at the Sanctuary House facility.
- $668,857 spent. COD Outpatient Treatment Program: the Co-Occurring Disorders (COD) Outpatient Treatment program operates in conjunction with all of our other programs, and provides specialized counseling services tailored to the needs of people diagnosed with both mental health and substance use disorders. This program provides counseling, education, and practical guidelines for coping with both diagnoses. Other services include community referral services and assistance with community re-integration. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, 194 people were treated by the COD Department.
- $348,045 spent. Arlington Apartments: the Arlington Supported Independent Living program provides affordable studio units, with supportive services, for low income persons living with mental illness. Supporting services consisted of permanent affordable housing, individual, group and family therapy, development of independent living and socialization skills, and vocational and educational assistance. As of and for the year ended June 30, 2025, there were 24 people residing in the Arlington Apartments.
- $122,826 spent. Hollister Apartments: the Hollister Apartments offer a supported independent living program through the provision of affordable studio units and supportive services for low income persons living with mental illness. As such, a continuum of services is provided at the housing site. As of and for the year ended June 30, 2025, there were eight people residing in the Hollister Apartments.
- $122,649 spent. Chartman: Chartman is an electronic patient record (EHR) software system that staff use for efficient charting, HIPAA compliance, instant access for charting and billing, and all patient/client record keeping.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.