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El Centro De Amistad Inc

EIN 95-3498639 · Canoga Park, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 65 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 mental health and other children services to low-income families in the San Fernando Valley.

Income
$11.5 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
119
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$194,214, executive dir.

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: 69 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 65 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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. $4.7 million spent. Mental Health Consultation & Education provides ongoing mental health services to adults (18-64) who are chronically mentally ill. Services may include individual, family and group therapy, case management, rehabilitation and medication support. The goal is to stabilize clients, make them more independent and acquire healthier coping skills to function better socially, emotionally and behaviorally within the home and in the community.
  2. $1.2 million spent. Family Resource Center (FSC) - The FSC will provide a continuum of services focused on addressing the urgent needs of families, empowering families to obtain greater financial security, fostering opportunities for improved academic achievement, and building community wealth.
  3. $871,981 spent. Child Welfare Services - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health provides evidence-based mental health services to infants and children between the ages 0-12 years of age. The goal is to improve and enhance mental health, and social and emotional development of infants and children who are at significant risk and particularly those who have experienced trauma. The program also focuses on providing mental health consultation/coaching to strengthen the capacity of parent (s) /caregiver (s), educators, schools and community agencies by gaining an understanding and addressing early social and emotional development, and impact of trauma on development. Early intervention and parent (s) caregiver (s) support will promote optimal development for infants and children and enhance the capacity of the families to meet the needs of their children.
  4. $698,776 spent. Relative Home Assessment Services is a new family-friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process. The program unifies approval standards for all. caregivers, regardless of the child's case plan. The process includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home orientation/home environment check, and training for all families, including relatives. The program prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system and allows for a seamless transition to permanency.
  5. $403,702 spent. Project LAUNCH - SAMHSA - Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Childrens Health) aims topromote the social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral wellness of young children (birth to age 8) by implementing evidence-based practices and improving coordination across systems. It focuses on fostering resilience and preventing mental/behavioral disorders in high-risk children.

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 October 13, 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 April 1985.

    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 October 21, 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.