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The Childrens Life-Saving Foundation

EIN 95-4371286 · Santa Monica, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Childrens Lifesaving Foundation CLF is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved BIPOC youth and houseless families living in shelters and transitional housing in Los Angeles through a unique approach of providing outdoor education through amazing Summer and Surf Camps inspiring Holiday Events and awesome Field Trips in and around Los Angeles and Educational Assistance and Scholarships for youth through to college-age. We also provided crucial Emergency Funding during the COVID-19 Crisis to the families in our Vita Network. Over 95,000 underserved primarily BIPOC and Latinx youth and families have been served since 1993.

Income
$563,563
Spending
$561,586
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
7
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$137,550, executive dir

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 100% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% 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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $110,000 spent. LIVING PLATFORM: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO DOMESTIC SUPPORT-PROVIDING CRUCIAL AID-FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND TO VERY IN-NEED AT RISK LOS ANGELES BASED FAMILIES AND WHICH PROVIDES ONGOING PERSONAL ASISTANCE TO OUR CORE NETWORK OF FAMILY PARTICIPANTS. AFTER THESE FAMILIES COMMIT TO POSITIVELY CHANGING THEIR LIVES THEY CONTINUE ON IN OTHER PROGRAM PLATFORMS CREATING AN AMAZING NETWORK OF SUPPORT AND CONTINUITY KNOWN AS THE VITA NETWORK.
  2. $300,550 spent. ENRICHMENT PLATFORM: THIS A PROGRAM THAT INCORPORATES A WONDERFUL CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS WHICH PROVIDE A SENSE OF NORMALCY AND COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WHETHER THE EXPERIENCE IS ENJOYUING A REFRESHING DAY AT THE BEACH OR IN THE MOUNTAINS AT CAMP for ALL IN MALIBU ATTENDING A GREAT HOLIDAY PARTY COMPLETE WITH BAGS OF NEW GIFTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN OR THANKSGIVING DINNER OR ENJOYING COUNTLESS FAMILY DINNERS BIRTHDAY PARTIES OR GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS. THIS ENRICHING PLATFORM IS SUUPPORTED BY SOME FANTASTIC FIELD TRIPS AND FUN OUTINGS. CAMP4ALL OUR HIGLY SUCCCESSFUL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AND A THRIVING PROJECT ANGEL WINGS HOLIDAY PROGRAM WHICH COMPLETES THE IMPACT OF THE ENRICHING PLATFORM SEASONALLY STARTING ON THANKGIVING AND OFFERING AMAZING HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS IN DECEMBER.
  3. $10,579 spent. LEARNING PLATFORM: THIS PLATFORM INCLUDES OUR CARE THROUGH COLLEGE PROGRAM DREAM MENTORS AND A ROSTER OF COMMUNITY OUTINGS WHICH FOSTERS HOPE IN STUDENTS STRIVING TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS SERVING AND TUTORING STUDENTS THROUGH ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AGE AND PROVIDING CRUCIAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE MCHUGH-ODONOVAN SHINING STARS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.

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 December 1997.

    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.