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New Alternatives Incorporated

EIN 95-3244085 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 126 cents.

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

What it says it does

NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC. IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ABUSED AND NEGELECTED YOUTH WITH HOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF SOCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE IN SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY.

Income
$34.2 million
Spending
$34.6 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
632
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$531,370, c.e.o.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 126 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $32.0 million spent. CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND YOUTH- THE CORE OF NEW ALTERNATIVES' SYSTEM OF CARE FOR CHILDREN IS RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE AGENCY ACCEPT REFERRALS FROM SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. DURING 2024, THE AGENCY OPERATED MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY. THESE FACILITIES PROVIDE A SAFE AND STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, WITH NEARLY 230 RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT BEDS THAT SERVE HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS ANNUALLY, AGES 6 TO 18. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE TWENTY-FOUR HOUR ADULT SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND NURTURING SETTING AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO FAMILIES THAT ENCOURAGE THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CHILD/FAMILY CONTACT. THE YOUTH ATTEND EITHER ON OR OFF GROUNDS PUBLIC OR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPENDING UPON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDING SIBLING ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS, SPECIALIZED TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS, TRANSITIONAL LIVING FOR ADOLESCENTS AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. NEW ALTERNATIVES' IN-HOME SERVICE PROGRAMS PROVIDE CARE FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT BY USING EMERGENCY CARETAKERS, RESPITE CARE, PARENTING EDUCATION AND PARENT AIDES. THE AGENCY'S ARRAY OF PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP CHILDREN AT HOME WHILE ENDSURING THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO A WIDE RANGE OF FAMILIES SUCH AS THOSE AT RISK OF HAVING THEIR CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES, RELATIVES WHO VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THE ROLE OF CAREGIVER, AND FAMILIES AT RISK DUE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE AND POVERTY. THE GOAL OF ALL THE PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE EARLY TREATMENT IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE FAMILY UNIT. THE SERVICE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: IN-HOME CRISIS COUNSELING; IN-HOME SUPPORT AND PARENT EDUCATION; TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATING HOME MAKING SERVICES; IN-HOME PARENTAL AIDES; PARENTING CLASSES; MONITORED VISISTATION AND TRANSPORTATION. NEW ALTERNATIVE'S FOSTER FINDING AGENCY CERTIFIES FOSTER PARENTS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A STABLE HOME FOR DIFFICULT TO PLACE YOUTH. NEW ALTERNATIVES PLACES COUNTY COURT DEPENDENTS IN THESE FAMILIES HOMES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE FOSTER FAMILY UNTIL THE COUNTY LOCATES PERMANENT PLACEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN. FOSTER PARENTS COME FROM DIVERSE ETHNIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS AND BRING A VARIETY OF LIFE EXPERIENCES TO THEIR ROLES AS "SPECIALIZED PARENTS". FOSTER PARENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND NEW ALTERNATIVES' SUPPORT STAFF IS AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. NEW ALTERNATIVES OPERATES MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS SUCH AS: OUT PATIENT, DAY TREAT, SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, HOME AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE CLIENT AND FAMILY CENTERED AND DESIGNED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. PROGRAM STAFF WORK WITHIN THE CLIENT'S FAMILY SYSTEM. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE ASSESSMENT; CASE MANAGEMENT; INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY THERAPY; PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND MEDICATION MONITORING. CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND YOUTH- THE CORE OF NEW ALTERNATIVES' SYSTEM OF CARE FOR CHILDREN IS RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE AGENCY ACCEPT REFERRALS FROM SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. DURING 2024, THE AGENCY OPERATED MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ORANGE COUNTY. THESE FACILITIES PROVIDE A SAFE AND STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, WITH NEARLY 230 RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT BEDS THAT SERVE HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS ANNUALLY, AGES 6 TO 18. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDE TWENTY-FOUR HOUR ADULT SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND NURTURING SETTING AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO FAMILIES THAT ENCOURAGE THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CHILD/FAMILY CONTACT. THE YOUTH ATTEND EITHER ON OR OFF GROUNDS PUBLIC OR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPENDING UPON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDING SIBLING ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS, SPECIALIZED TREATMENT FOR SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS, TRANSITIONAL LIVING FOR ADOLESCENTS AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. NEW ALTERNATIVES' IN-HOME SERVICE PROGRAMS PROVIDE CARE FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT BY USING EMERGENCY CARETAKERS, RESPITE CARE, PARENTING EDUCATION AND PARENT AIDES. THE AGENCY'S ARRAY OF PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP CHILDREN AT HOME WHILE ENDSURING THEIR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO A WIDE RANGE OF FAMILIES SUCH AS THOSE AT RISK OF HAVING THEIR CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES, RELATIVES WHO VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THE ROLE OF CAREGIVER, AND FAMILIES AT RISK DUE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE AND POVERTY. THE GOAL OF ALL THE PROGRAMS IS TO PROVIDE EARLY TREATMENT IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE FAMILY UNIT. THE SERVICE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: IN-HOME CRISIS COUNSELING; IN-HOME SUPPORT AND PARENT EDUCATION; TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATING HOME MAKING SERVICES; IN-HOME PARENTAL AIDES; PARENTING CLASSES; MONITORED VISISTATION AND TRANSPORTATION. NEW ALTERNATIVE'S FOSTER FINDING AGENCY CERTIFIES FOSTER PARENTS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A STABLE HOME FOR DIFFICULT TO PLACE YOUTH. NEW ALTERNATIVES PLACES COUNTY COURT DEPENDENTS IN THESE FAMILIES HOMES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE FOSTER FAMILY UNTIL THE COUNTY LOCATES PERMANENT PLACEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN. FOSTER PARENTS COME FROM DIVERSE ETHNIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS AND BRING A VARIETY OF LIFE EXPERIENCES TO THEIR ROLES AS "SPECIALIZED PARENTS". FOSTER PARENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND NEW ALTERNATIVES' SUPPORT STAFF IS AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. NEW ALTERNATIVES OPERATES MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS SUCH AS: OUT PATIENT, DAY TREAT, SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, HOME AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. PROGRAM SERVICES ARE CLIENT AND FAMILY CENTERED AND DESIGNED TO MEET

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 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.