Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Waymakers

EIN 95-3167866 · Irvine, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WAYMAKERS BUILDS SAFER COMMUNITIES BY HELPING INDIVIDUALS MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH CONFLICT AND CRISIS TO A PLACE OF STRENGTH AND STABILITY. WE REDIRECT YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, STABILIZE CHILDREN DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, COUNSEL TROUBLED FAMILIES, RESOLVE COMMUNITY CONFLICTS, EMPOWER AND SUPPORT VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND PROVIDE PREVENTION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$31.8 million
Spending
$31.5 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
449
Volunteers
365
Highest pay
$229,833, chief executive officer

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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 67% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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. $12.0 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES/WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS: PROVIDE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH, INCLUDING FAMILY COUNSELING, PARENT EDUCATION, YOUTH ENRICHMENT, AND ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND DRUG PREVENTION SERVICES. WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS PROVIDE SERVICES TO YOUTH WITH COMPLEX NEEDS AND EMOTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH, OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE IN-HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING, MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION SERVICES, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AND CAREER READINESS SKILLS FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, AS WELL AS YOUTH EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS, TRUANCY, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES. THESE PROGRAMS AIM TO PROMOTE GREATER INDEPENDENCE, INCREASE SELF-RELIANCE, AND IMPROVE SOCIAL COMPETENCE. THE PROGRAM SERVED 4,720 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $9.3 million spent. VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE: PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR ALL VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME WITHIN THE COUNTY OF ORANGE, INCLUDING VICTIM ASSISTANCE, WITNESS SERVICES, RESTITUTION PROCESSING, AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, HOMICIDE, GANG VIOLENCE, ELDER ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND HATE CRIMES. THE PROGRAM SERVED 22,372 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  3. $7.2 million spent. CRISIS RESIDENTIAL SERVICES AND HUNTINGTON BEACH YOUTH SHELTER: PROVIDE SHORT-TERM CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IN LAGUNA BEACH AND TUSTIN FOR YOUTH AGES 13-17 TO STABILIZE THEM AND FACILITATE FAMILY REUNIFICATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES EMERGENCY, TEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN HUNTINGTON BEACH FOR RUNAWAY, ABUSED, AND TROUBLED TEENS IN CRISIS. BOTH SERVICES INCLUDE PARENT COUNSELING. THE PROGRAMS SERVED 1,241 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  4. $182,041 spent. DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES: PROVIDES A VOLUNTARY PROCESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN WHICH A TRAINED MEDIATOR GUIDES DISPUTANTS TO A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT. MEDIATORS OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO FORMAL SMALL CLAIMS OR CIVIL HARASSMENT COURT PROCEDURES. MEDIATIONS FREQUENTLY ADDRESS CONFLICTS BETWEEN NEIGHBORS, CONSUMER-MERCHANT DISPUTES, LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES, AND OTHER UNRESOLVED CONCERNS INVOLVING PARTIES WITH ONGOING BUSINESS OR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. THE PROGRAM SERVED 6,611 CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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 February 1978.

    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.