Nonprofit · EIN 47-2171861
REAL LIFE SKILLS INC
Tax-exempt · SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990-EZ | $34,500 | $55,300 | -$20,800 | $43,312 | $0 | $43,312 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990-EZ | $41,500 | $52,515 | -$11,015 | $65,846 | $1,734 | $64,112 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990-EZ | $50,850 | $52,437 | -$1,587 | $75,800 | $673 | $75,127 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $17,000
- Program service revenue
- $17,500
- Investment income
- $0
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $40,625
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $45,900
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $2,981
- Other expenses
- $6,419
- Program services (functional)
- $55,300
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $65,846
- Total assets, end of year
- $43,312
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $0
- Net assets, end of year
- $43,312
- Cash, savings and investments
- $41,452
- Gross receipts
- $34,500
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Robins | Executive Director, Program Director & Facilitator | 8 | $37,500 |
| Stephanie Murphy | Program Manager | 2 | $3,125 |
| Richard Karlson | President | 1 | $0 |
| Susan Zlaket | Secretary | 1 | $0 |
| Bruce Menser | Board member | 1 | $0 |
| Raul Palomino | Treasurer | 1 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024: 5 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Robins | Executive Director, Program Director & Facilitator | 12 | $37,500 |
| Richard Karlson | President | 1 | $0 |
| Susan Zlaket | Secretary | 1 | $0 |
| Bruce Menser | Board member | 1 | $0 |
| Raul Palomino | Treasurer | 1 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2023: 6 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Robins | Executive Director, Program Director & Facilitator | 24 | $37,500 |
| Richard Karlson | President | 24 | $0 |
| Susan Zlaket | Secretary | 2 | $0 |
| Robinson Devadhason | Treasurer | 2 | $0 |
| Bruce Menser | Board member | 1 | $0 |
| Raul Palomino | Board Member | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 655 INDIA ST UNIT 306, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-6756
- In care of
- % RICHARD KARLSON
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Richard Karlson, President
- Phone
- (619) 921-1139
- Website
- reallifeskills.org
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 47-2171861 or by the name REAL LIFE SKILLS INC.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
Our purpose is to restore hope to those dealing with life challenges, resurrect lost self-esteem, and re-ignite the desire to become the best version of themselves. We do this by teaching a self-improvement program in eight dynamic one hour classes on the power of thinking and provide a clear understanding of how life choices are made. This introduces a new valuable education experience, utilizing the cognitive behavior theory approach for those in need focused on developing a new mindset that can provide a path to a better life. Our strategic focus is directed to help agencies that serve the homeless, the homeless in transition, parolees, drug & alcohol recovery, transitional youth, and low -income families seeking better job opportunities.
Program accomplishments
- 2025 Accomplishments 1.Introduced a new Model to scale real life skills concepts to reach a larger audience with agencies in the community. It is a Train-the Trainer Model designed for community organizations. Rather than relying only on RealLife Skills staff to teach every class, the agencies would equip trusted voices inside partner agencies to teach the curriculum in-house. RLS would provide teaching skills and curriculum to certify trainers With certification the concepts would be taught to staff and to those they serve along with their existing programs. 2. A Life skills course was taught at David Harps Foundation to a staff of 18 mentors. This organization is a successful community organization helping homeless youth achieve academic success though music education, sound engineering and multimedia production leading to jobs and self sufficiency. A staff member was selected to become the first certified trainer for the Train-the Trainer program. In a short time the trainer began teaching life skills concepts to new transitional youth coming into the organization.. 3.In November we were pleased to have hired Dr. Stephanie Murphy to provide leadership as our new Program Director. Dr. Murphy was formerly director of the learning academy at the San Diego Housing Commission. 4.During the year Life Skill classes continued to be taught at the San Diego Housing Commission. A Zoom class was taught to 28 students enrolled in their Medical Assistant Program providing job opportunities for students. 5. We are starting the new year with a new opportunity to teach our Life Skill classes at the at O'Farrell Charter School for their ARC Program. The proposal to teach 8 lessons to 40 students ages 10-14 starting March 2026Expenses $55,300
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 47-2171861
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2014
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P20)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $43,312
- Income (IRS master file)
- $34,500
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | December 2025 | $34,500 | $55,300 | $43,312 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2024 | $41,500 | $52,515 | $65,846 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2023 | $50,850 | $52,437 | $75,800 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 47-2171861).
Questions about REAL LIFE SKILLS INC
- What is the EIN of REAL LIFE SKILLS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of REAL LIFE SKILLS INC is 47-2171861.
- Is REAL LIFE SKILLS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2014.
- Are donations to REAL LIFE SKILLS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does REAL LIFE SKILLS INC file?
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Gross receipts normally $50,000 or less.
- When is the next return of REAL LIFE SKILLS INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did REAL LIFE SKILLS INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
- Who are the officers and directors of REAL LIFE SKILLS INC?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 6 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $37,500 (James Robins, Executive Director, Program Director & Facilitator).
- How much revenue does REAL LIFE SKILLS INC have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $34,500, expenses of $55,300 and total assets of $43,312 at year end.
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