Nonprofit · EIN 94-2641147
BECOMING INDEPENDENT
Tax-exempt · SANTA ROSA, CA 95407
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $18,384,785 | $14,434,410 | $3,950,375 | $35,182,430 | $1,677,748 | $33,504,682 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $16,931,855 | $12,311,671 | $4,620,184 | $30,310,008 | $1,025,825 | $29,284,183 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $14,002,768 | $11,677,335 | $2,325,433 | $26,241,697 | $1,891,734 | $24,349,963 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,974,723
- of which government grants
- $2,210,135
- Program service revenue
- $14,630,840
- Investment income
- $705,293
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $70,457
- Net income from fundraising events
- $87,559
- Net income from gaming
- -$37,927
- Other revenue
- $73,929
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $824,258
- Other salaries and wages
- $7,729,495
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $10,225,121
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $140,744
- Travel
- $639,871
- Depreciation
- $926,251
- Program services (functional)
- $11,813,075
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,310,702
- Fundraising (functional)
- $310,633
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $30,310,008
- Total assets, end of year
- $35,182,430
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,677,748
- Net assets, end of year
- $33,504,682
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $10,947,186
- Publicly traded securities
- $5,668,605
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $33,069,384
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $435,298
- Gross receipts
- $20,755,404
- Employees
- 350
- Volunteers
- 34
- Year formed
- 1980
- State of legal domicile
- CA
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 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luana Vaetoe | Chief Executive Officer Officer | 40 | $393,816 | $20,871 |
| Paula Kraus Finley | Chief of Services Key employee | 40 | $275,605 | $17,953 |
| Kaela Talafili | Director of Education Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,005 | $7,232 |
| Jeney Pribyl | Resource Development Manger Highest-paid employee | 40 | $112,732 | $11,631 |
| Dalton Wiley | Community Relations Manager Highest-paid employee | 40 | $114,292 | $4,794 |
| Christie Dale | Senior Accountant Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,335 | $5,884 |
| Nick Dieter | Board President Trustee or director, Officer | 0.19 | $0 | $0 |
| Donna Cates | Board Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 0.19 | $0 | $0 |
| Bonnie Burrell | Board Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 0.19 | $0 | $0 |
| Sheri Wenzel | Board Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 0.19 | $0 | $0 |
| Alicia Burns | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 | $0 |
| Bryna McCulley | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 | $0 |
| Carrie Mauritson | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 | $0 |
| Danielle Westermann | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 | $0 |
| Denee Locke | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 | $0 |
5 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Gullotta | Board Deputy Trustee or director | 0.19 | $0 |
| Joerg Olson | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 |
| Josh Goff | Board Member Trustee or director | 0.23 | $0 |
| Terry Fassold | Board Deputy Trustee or director | 0.19 | $0 |
| Daniel Crowell | Controller, Start 3/25 Officer | 40 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luana Vaetoe | Chief Executive Officer Officer | 40 | $357,401 | $18,011 |
| Paula Kraus Finley | Chief of Services Key employee | 40 | $223,306 | $14,993 |
| Jeffrey Woods | CFO - Ended 10/31/2023 Officer | 40 | $167,575 | $11,132 |
| James Cox | Director of Quality & Strategic Growth Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,655 | $6,503 |
| Kaela Talafili | Director of Education Highest-paid employee | 40 | $106,892 | $6,916 |
| Christie Dale | Senior Accountant Officer | 40 | $47,529 | $2,055 |
| David House | Past President Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Joerg Olson | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Nicholas Dieter | President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Bonnie Burrell | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Donna Cates | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Carrie Mauritson | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Bryan Wright | Deputy Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sheri Wenzel | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Alicia Burns | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Denee Locke | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Terry Fassold | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Gullotta | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Josh Golf | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Danielle Westermann | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Bryna McCulley | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 17 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luana Vaetoe | Chief Executive Officer Officer | 40 | $297,072 | $8,804 |
| Paula Kraus Finley | Chief of Services Key employee | 40 | $209,032 | $14,330 |
| James Cox | Director of Community Serv Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,248 | $6,330 |
| Mehkhai Vang | Direct Support Professional Highest-paid employee | 40 | $101,080 | $5,839 |
| David House | Past President Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Joerg Olson | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Nicholas Dieter | President Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| Bonnie Burrell | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Donna Cates | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Carrie Mauritson | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Bryan Wright | Deputy Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Sheri Wenzel | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Alicia Burns | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Denee Locke | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Terry Fassold | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Gullotta | Member Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jeff Woods | CFO resigned 10/23 Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1455 CORPORATE CNTR PKWY, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407-5452
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Luana Vaetoe, 1455 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
- Signed the 990
- Luana Vaetoe, Chief Executive Officer
- Phone
- (707) 524-6600
- Return prepared by
- Dillwood Burkel & Millar LLP
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-2641147 or by the name BECOMING INDEPENDENT.
- 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
Elevating human abilities for the mutual benefit of our community.
Program accomplishments
- Education & Employment Programs:This fiscal year, Becoming Independent served over 250 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our Education programs and another 100 in Employment programs, all of whom share a common goal of living meaningful and fulfilling lives through exploration and development in the areas of education and employment. Our programs are created with the understanding that all people have the right to choose their own paths and the right to be valued as active community members. Services include building skills in the areas of health, wellness, nutrition, socialization, communication, arts, music, self-advocacy, job skills and ongoing professional growth and exploration.Expenses $8,038,638 · revenue $10,637,751
- Living Services:Our Living Services teams offer two support options for those who choose to live independently. Independent Living Services (ILS), serving over 100 individuals annually, are centered around developing skills to achieve the level of independence of one's choosing. Objectives are designed based on an assessment of current skills including self-advocacy, health and safety, personal and social skills, mobility, accessing community resources, and financial management. Supported Living Services (SLS), serving over 50 individuals, provide the support required for a person to live their most independent life, in their own home, on their own terms. Services are flexible and person-centered, offering customized assistance.Expenses $3,774,437 · revenue $3,993,089
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 94-2641147
- 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
- 1980
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P82)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $35,182,430
- Income (IRS master file)
- $20,755,404
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $18,384,785 | $14,434,410 | $35,182,430 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $16,931,855 | $12,311,671 | $30,310,008 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $14,002,768 | $11,677,335 | $26,241,697 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 94-2641147).
Questions about BECOMING INDEPENDENT
- What is the EIN of BECOMING INDEPENDENT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BECOMING INDEPENDENT is 94-2641147.
- Is BECOMING INDEPENDENT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1980.
- Are donations to BECOMING INDEPENDENT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BECOMING INDEPENDENT file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BECOMING INDEPENDENT due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BECOMING INDEPENDENT last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BECOMING INDEPENDENT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Luana Vaetoe.
- Who are the officers and directors of BECOMING INDEPENDENT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 20 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $393,816 (Luana Vaetoe, Chief Executive Officer).
- How much revenue does BECOMING INDEPENDENT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $18,384,785, expenses of $14,434,410 and total assets of $35,182,430 at year end.
Other nonprofits in SANTA ROSA
- COMMUNITY CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF SONOMA COUNTY INC EIN 94-2274620 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE EIN 94-2494324 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ST JOSEPH HOME CARE NETWORK EIN 68-0331084 · last filed 990 for 2024
- ALTERNATIVE FAMILY SERVICES INC EIN 94-2427088 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA EIN 94-2479393 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CALIFORNIA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CORP EIN 94-1653023 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CERES COMMUNITY PROJECT EIN 26-2250997 · last filed 990 for 2024
- SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA EIN 94-1265049 · last filed 990 for 2025