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Orangewood Foundation

EIN 95-3616628 · Santa Ana, 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

What it says it does

TO STRIVE FOR EQUITY FOR OUR YOUTH BY VALUING AND SUPPORTING THE LIFE THEY ENVISION.

Income
$24.9 million
Spending
$20.9 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
155
Volunteers
1,100
Highest pay
$419,311, 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 73% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    38 of 40 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. $3.7 million spent. EDUCATION: ORANGEWOOD FOUNDATION PROGRAMS HELP THE COMMUNITY AND FOSTER YOUTH DEVELOP AND ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS, FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TO GRADUATE SCHOOL. ORANGEWOOD FOUNDATION HELPS FOSTER AND COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOP AND ACHIEVE THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR SAMUELI ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE AND GRADUATE SCHOOL, AND EDUCATION-RELATED WORKSHOPS.
  2. $4.2 million spent. HOUSING: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES HOUSING REFERRALS AND ASSISTANCE, PLUS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING THROUGH OUR FIVE RESIDENTIAL SITES. AMONG YOUTH WHO VISIT OUR RESOURCE CENTER, 55 PERCENT INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN HOMELESS OR EXPERIENCED UNSTABLE HOUSING IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
  3. $4.1 million spent. LIFE SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT: SEVERAL ORANGEWOOD FOUNDATION PROGRAMS HELP CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH LEARN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS THAT CHILDREN AND TEENS FROM STABLE FAMILIES OFTEN LEARN FROM THEIR PARENTS,EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH OBSERVATION. OUR PROGRAMS ALSO HELP YOUTH FIND EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOP JOB-READINESS SKILLS.
  4. $3.5 million spent. HEALTH AND WELLNESS: ON A DAILY BASIS, FOUNDATION STAFF MEMBERS HELP OUR YOUTH WITH THEIR PHYSICAL,EMOTIONAL, AND "RELATIONAL" HEALTH. OFTEN, STRUGGLES IN THESE AREAS BECOME HURDLES FOR OUR YOUTH TO ACHIEVE THEIR OTHER GOALS ON THE PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, SUCH AS SECURING AND MAINTAINING HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, LEARNING AND RETAINING LIFE SKILLS, AND PURSUING AN EDUCATION.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 May 1981.

    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.