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Project Independence

EIN 95-3147421 · Costa Mesa, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 139 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PROVIDE INDEPENDENT & SUPPORTED LIVING SKILLS TRAINING, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY BASED DAY CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
69
Highest pay
$114,997, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% 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

    0 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 139 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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 (5)
  1. $2.3 million spent. INDEPENDENT & SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES- LIFE QUALITY AND SATISFACTION ASSESSMENT FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO ENABLE CLIENTS TO FUNCTION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ASSESS THE INDIVIDUALS SATISFACTION WITH PROVIDED SERVICES. FUNDED BY REGIONAL CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY. APPROXIMATELY 100 CLIENTS SERVED.
  2. SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES- JOB PLACEMENT AND COACHING CLIENTS WHO ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED. PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE JOB PLACEMENT AND JOB COACHING TO ENABLE CLIENTS TO FUNCTION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. FUNDED BY CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION AND THE REGIONAL CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY. APPROXIMATELY 40 CLIENTS SERVED.
  3. WORK INCENTIVE & PLANNING ASSISTANCE- WINNING WITH WORK INCENTIVES IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP BENEFITS PLANNING, ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH FOR PERSONS RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
  4. BEHAVIOR SUPPORT SERVICES- POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PLANS FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN AREAS OF SELF-HELP, VOCATIONAL, AAND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. FUNDED BY REGIONAL CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY. STAFFING RATIOS 1:1, 1:3. APPROXIMATELY 20 CLIENTS SERVED.
  5. ADULT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES- CONSUMER-DRIVEN SERVICES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL GOALS OF ADULTS WITH DEVEOPMENTAL DIABILITIES. PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY TRAINING BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICE, AS WELL AS, INTEGREATED SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT. STAFFING RATIOS 1:4. FUNDED BY REGIONAL CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY. APPROXIMATELY 30 CLIENTS SERVED.

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 November 6, 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 July 1979.

    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 November 4, 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.