California Traffic Safety Institute

Analysis

California Traffic Safety Institute is a registered charity in United States, based in Lancaster, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in January 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover public safety, disaster preparedness and relief, which this site groups under armed forces, emergency and public safety. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, California Traffic Safety Institute reported income of $3.8m and spending of $4.3m, spending 111% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income fell from $4.9m to $3.8m (-21%), an average of -5.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income dropped by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.

Among 9,128 United States charities whose main cause is armed forces, emergency and public safety and that reported income, California Traffic Safety Institute sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile, and in the 91st percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc ($3.8m), West Buncombe Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated ($3.8m) and Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No 1 Inc ($3.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 87% and program service revenue 12% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $171k (4.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $3.0m. At year end it held assets of $702k against liabilities of $271k, net assets of $431k. It reported 162 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.