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The Way to Happiness Foundation International

EIN 95-3937092 · Glendale, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

TO REVERSE THE MORAL DECAY IN SOCIETY BY RESTORING TRUST AND HONESTY IN THE WORLD THROUGH THE PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF A NONRELIGIOUS COMMON SENSE MORAL CODE, "THE WAY TO HAPPINESS"

Income
$595,682
Spending
$669,634
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
11
Volunteers
3,000
Highest pay
$48,323, director, pr

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

Weak: 24 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 229% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $477,735 spent. DISTRIBUTION OF "THE WAY TO HAPPINESS" THE WAY TO HAPPINESS FOUNDATION'S ("TWTH") PURPOSE IS TO REVERSE THE MORAL DECAY IN SOCIETY BY RESTORING TRUST AND HONESTY IN THE WORLD THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE DISSEMINATION OF A NONRELIGIOUS COMMON SENSE MORAL CODE: "THE WAY TO HAPPINESS", WHICH CONSISTS OF 21 ILLUSTRATED PRECEPTS SUCH AS "LOVE AND HELP CHILDREN", "HONOR AND HELP YOUR PARENTS", "SET A GOOD EXAMPLE", AND "RESPECT THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF OTHERS". THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN 119 LANGUAGES AND OVER 278 NEW CUSTOM COVERS FOR THE WAY TO HAPPINESS BOOKLET WERE PRODUCED IN 2024.
  2. $72,599 spent. THE WAY TO HAPPINESS SERVICES AND CAMPAIGNS. THE WAY TO HAPPINESS FOUNDATION PROVIDED CHARACTER EDUCATION ONLINE COURSES AND SEMINARS, INFORMATION KITS AND EDUCATOR MATERIALS TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, BUSINESSES AND CORRECTION FACILITIES INTERNATIONALLY INCLUDING IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, UK, EUROPE, LATIN AND CENTRAL AMERICA, AFRICA, ASIA, AND AUSTRALIA. PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS WERE CONDUCTED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT MORAL BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY AMONGST YOUTH, THROUGH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, CONTESTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP DRIVES, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1993.

    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.