Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Inner Circle Foster Family Agency

EIN 95-4292555 · El Monte, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

The mission of Inner Circle is to promote the growth of children and youth while strengthening the family unit. Our goal is to provide community based services to children and families for the purpose of strengthening the family unit, emancipating prepared, productive young adults and providing specialized, quality foster care. By meeting these needs in a caring, comprehensive, and professional manner we will impact the quality of life for the children and families in our community Programs and Services* Foster Care* Adoption* Developmental Disabilities* State of California, Victims of Crime Outpatient Counseling.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 86%
Employees
25
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$168,005, ceo

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: 67 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $2.6 million spent. Resource/Foster parents are recruited and trained to provide homes for children who have been abused or neglected. Inner Circle services are provided by master level social workers. Inner Circle provides the following foster care services to the parents and children *Careful Resource/Foster Parent Recruitment and Training* Weekly Social Work Support and Case Management* Liaison Work between Resource/Foster Parents, Biological Parents, and the County Social Worker* In-office Monitoring of Visitation with the Birth Family* Monthly Reimbursement Stipends to Offset the Costs of Caring for the Children* Initial and ongoing assessment and evaluation of the childs abilities and needs *Supportive services for children and foster and adoption families* Careful monitoring of homes to ensure compliance with regulations* Appropriate referral to Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and specialists in coordination with county representatives* Resource/Foster Parent Support and Recognition Events* Ongoing Training for Current Resource/Foster Parents* 24 Hour Support to Resource/Foster Parents. During 2024 Inner Circle Placed 245 Children in Foster Homes.Inner Circle's mission is to coordinate a multidisciplinary team (MDT) response to child abuse investigations and interventions. We work closely with State, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, child protective services, the District Attorney's Office, mental health agencies, and victim advocacy centers, all who share the common goal of helping children.
  2. $295,968 spent. Inner Circle is committed to helping crime victims through the Victim Compensation Program (VCP). The VCP can help victims of violent crime and their families deal with the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of crime. Victims of crimes such as; Child Abuse, Physical Abuse, Sexual Assault, Emotional Abuse, General Neglect, Domestic Violence and Other examples.
  3. $55,760 spent. Inner Circle is licensed by the State of California as an adoption agency. The Children who become available for adoption come through the foster care system. Therefore, potential adoptive families attend training classes with Inner Circle's foster parents. Children who become available for adoption are provided safe and secure homes.

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 August 1991.

    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.