Becoming Independent

EIN: 942641147 501(c)(3) Human Services

Santa Rosa, CA

Total Revenue
$18,384,785
Total Expenses
$14,434,410
Total Assets
$35,182,430
Net Assets
$33,504,682
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1980
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
Luana Vaetoe
Phone
7075246600
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Becoming Independent, founded in 1980, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Human Services sector that reported $18.4M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue grew 9% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion. The organization ran a surplus of $4.0M, a strong 21% operating margin.

Mission

Elevating human abilities for the mutual benefit of our community.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $8,038,638 Revenue: $10,637,751

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...

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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.

Program 2
Expenses: $3,774,437 Revenue: $3,993,089

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...

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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.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $2,974,723
Program Service Revenue $14,630,840
Investment Income $705,293
Other Revenue $73,929
TOTAL REVENUE $18,384,785

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $10,225,121
Fundraising Expenses $310,633
Program Expenses $11,813,075
Other Expenses $4,209,289
TOTAL EXPENSES $14,434,410

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $18,384,785 $16,931,855 +0.1%
Expenses $14,434,410 $12,311,671 +0.2%
Net Income $3,950,375 $4,620,184 -0.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
13
Independent Members
13
Employees
350
Volunteers
34

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$414,687
Total Directors
13
$0
Key Employees
1
$293,558
Highest Compensated
4
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Nick Dieter Board President 0.19
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Donna Cates Board Vice President 0.19
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Bonnie Burrell Board Secretary 0.19
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Sheri Wenzel Board Treasurer 0.19
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Alicia Burns Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Bryna McCulley Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Carrie Mauritson Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Danielle Westermann Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Denee Locke Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Eric Gullotta Board Deputy 0.19
Director
$0 $0 $0
Joerg Olson Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Josh Goff Board Member 0.23
Director
$0 $0 $0
Terry Fassold Board Deputy 0.19
Director
$0 $0 $0
Luana Vaetoe Chief Executive Officer 40.00
Officer
$393,816 $20,871 $414,687
Daniel Crowell Controller, Start 3/25 40.00
Officer
$0 $0 $0
Paula Kraus Finley Chief of Services 40.00
Key Emp
$275,605 $17,953 $293,558
Kaela Talafili Director of Education 40.00
Highest
$136,005 $7,232 $143,237
Dalton Wiley Community Relations Manager 40.00
Highest
$114,292 $4,794 $119,086
Jeney Pribyl Resource Development Manger 40.00
Highest
$112,732 $11,631 $124,363
Christie Dale Senior Accountant 40.00
Highest
$107,335 $5,884 $113,219
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $18,384,785 $14,434,410 $35,182,430 $3,950,375
2024 $16,931,855 $12,311,671 $30,310,008 $4,620,184
2023 $14,002,768 $11,677,335 $26,241,697 $2,325,433
2022 $15,817,170 $9,295,415 $23,196,073 $6,521,755
2021 $18,471,031 $10,713,876 $17,447,433 $7,757,155
2020 $14,265,434 $13,886,371 $14,120,837 $379,063
2019 $13,735,637 $13,367,722 $11,412,420 $367,915
2018 $14,588,383 $14,234,362 $11,262,967 $354,021
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