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Lake Avenue Foundation Inc

EIN 95-4847950 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LAKE AVENUE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS TO BE A COMMUNITY TAHT AFFIRMS, EQUIPS AND EMBOLDENS YOUNG PEOPLE TO PURSUE A LIFE OF PURPOSE, SERVICE, AND MEANING.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
25
Volunteers
78

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • 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 September 30, 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. $436,745 spent. STARS SUPPORTS OUR PASADENA AREA YOUTH WITH KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THEIR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC LIVES.OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS PROVIDE ENGAGING EXPERIENCES IN: CREATIVE ARTS, LEADERSHIP/EMPOWERMENT DEVELOPMENT, SPIRITUAL FORMATION, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $133,731 spent. THE STARS COLLEGE PROGRAM IS AN INTERDEPENDENT PROGRAM THAT WELCOMES STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ACHIEVING A CERTIFICATION OR DEGREE PROGRAM. OUR HOPE IS TO SEE OUR STUDENTS PURSUE CAREERS ALIGNED WITH THEIR ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL, AND SPIRITUAL GOALS. OUR PROGRAM SEEKS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT SYSTEMS AROUND OUR STUDENTS THROUGH IGRADUATE GUIDANCE, RESOURCE EVENTS, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP STUDENTS THRIVE.
  3. $329,793 spent. WELLNESS IS AN ACTIVE PROCESS OF BECOMING AWARE AND MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES TOWARDS A BALANCED AND FULFILLING LIFE. STARS' WELLNESS PROGRAM AIMS TO EQUIP OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THEIR SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 August 2001.

    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.