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REAL LIFE

EIN 37-1797980 RICHMOND, VA

Browse the largest nonprofits in Virginia

Revenue 2024
$2,287,799
Expenses 2024
$2,190,869

Program services were 89.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
L40
Classification
1200
Street
PO BOX 27372

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

REAL LIFE's mission is to create pathways to attain and sustain a thriving life for those who desire change. REAL LIFE's vision is to walk alongside its clients and those in need, in order to see them grow into a prosperous and thriving life.Our mission is to develop a relationship with each person we serve (as we refer to them, Lifers) that equips them to make the visible progress necessary for their personal pathway to a Thriving Life. Along the way, we engage the community and bring awareness to the needs of Lifers. Our work meets a standard of accountability we call compelling stewardship that allows us to engage Lifers with a level of service and financial effectiveness seldom seen.

  • Withheld by Nonprofiteer: this text may name a private individual.

    Expenses $1,364,787 · Revenue $946,336

  • REAL Housing supports Lifers that need a structured residential environment for recovery during their transition from incarceration, addiction, or homelessness to independent living and a Thriving Life.REAL LIFE sets the highest standards of care to foster personal growth, develop a foundation for long term recovery, and improve the quality of life through delivering REAL LIFE's 5 pillars of service.The housing crisis can be viewed as two primary issues "affordable housing and "controlled environment housing" needed for recovery and transition to independent living. Fortunately, several organizations are working for affordable housing. A lot of funding and work is being applied to affordable housing.REAL LIFE will always extend help to Lifers needing affordable housing upon completion of the program, but the unique housing contribution for REAL LIFE is accommodating Lifers who need a controlled environment to recover and/or transition to independent living.While we work to get individuals in a housing crisis into affordable housing, options are significantly limited for those without income (which most Lifers do not have). For those needing a recovery house, there is often nothing we can do due to the shortage of this type housing that is safe, stable, and affordable.Recovery houses REAL LIFE Housing fosters a community of people who need safe, sober, and structured recovery housing during their transition to a thriving life.QUOTE: "One of the smartest things I've ever done is to voluntarily go into the REAL LIFE Program, and I'm glad I did. I needed that change. 18 months of structure. Now, I've been on my own, making big decisions, working hard every day and taking it day by day. So far, so good." Josh K. Serving individuals in 12 houses with 131 bedsMany men and women seeking services from REAL LIFE are in crisis not only due to their addiction, but also because of their housing situation. Sadly, a large portion of Lifers were previously homeless, bouncing from couch to couch, or living in a place that is not conducive to recovery or they are coming directly from incarceration.Individuals residing in one of REAL LIFE's houses receive intensive case management services and supervision through their Pathway Navigator.. Comprehensive programming and recovery support, including 20-30 hours of classes per week with REAL LIFE curriculum . Employment support . Education support . Peer supportInterested in applying to REAL LIFE for you, a family member, friend, client, probationer? Housing Process Basic criteria . Over 18 years old . Able to pass a drug test. If detox is needed, that must occur before coming to REAL LIFE. . Willing and able to work; not on disability and not planning on filing disability . If there is a mental health diagnosis, they must be regulated and completely medication compliant if on medication. . Willing to commit to the strong rigor and structure that REAL LIFE requires, equating to almost 40 hours a week of programming. This includes case management, 25 classes and groups a week, competition of the 234 page REAL LIFE curriculum, and more.

    Expenses $555,037

  • It is our goal to meet clients where they are through either connecting clients with existing resources or fill the gaps where they are present. While Richmond has many great resources through non-profit and government resources, often individuals do not know how to navigate or access the many options. This is where REAL Life helps guide and connect them with such resources, such as housing, medical, or mental health. However, REAL Life also provides services/resources where there are gaps due to lack of services, whether that is due to not enough resources or none at all, such as cell phones, bus tickets, job assistance, mentoring, etc. One of our 'flagship' services is our weekly "alumni" meetings, which is a means of keeping a network of recovering individuals from our program together, as well as provide a plethora of meeting topics, such as 12 steps, obtaining a driver's license, budgeting, cooking, raising children, or anger management. The REAL House, located in South Richmond, was opened in May 2017, as a response to the growing need for affordable housing for those exiting incarceration. The house is also available for men exiting incarceration from the RCJC and is a six-month sober living home, which utilizes a similar behavior modification program that was found within The REAL Program in the RCJC.The REAL LIFE Community Center is the newest offering of REAL LIFE. The Center opened as a response to a need in the community for men and women exiting incarceration, as well as those in the community needing assistance to overcome addictions or barriers that hinder success. Whatever situation individuals find themselves in, REAL LIFE is able to help through intensive case management in the Center, as well as a wide variety of classes, services, meetings and groups at the Center

    Expenses $40,713

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here. A text marked withheld matched a screen for wording that may name a private individual, such as an honorific or "in memory of". Most of what it withholds names no one; it is withheld so that what does is never shown.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Sarah H Scarborough PhD

    Founder and Director

    Total calculated
    $137,269
    From this org
    $137,269
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Elaine Minor

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CT Woody

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Tanya Warren

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Allen Bowman

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Julie Dime

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Chelsea Rarrick

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Julie Herzog

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Loretta Simmons-Jackson

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Jackie Shornak

    Board Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $2,287,799
    Expenses
    $2,190,869
    Contributions
    $1,880,421
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $2,170,135
    Expenses
    $1,750,591
    Contributions
    $1,824,045
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $1,696,699
    Expenses
    $1,422,435
    Contributions
    $1,282,900
    Grants paid
    $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $1,326,903
    Expenses
    $921,235
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,051,389

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $781,017
    Expenses
    $578,513
    Assets (EOY)
    $601,534

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $509,396
    Expenses
    $512,289
    Assets (EOY)
    $223,048

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $470,829
    Expenses
    $428,652
    Assets (EOY)
    $110,979

  • 2017 · 990-EZ

    Revenue
    $108,998
    Expenses
    $45,324
    Assets (EOY)
    $68,796

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all.

Form 990-N e-Postcard, tax year 2016

Tax period
1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016
Principal officer
Sarah H Scarbrough PhD
Mailing address
PO Box 27372Richmond VA 23238

As filed, from the IRS e-Postcard file of 2 November 2026. The IRS publishes only each organization's most recent postcard, so earlier years are not shown. A 990-N carries no financial detail. The postcard also gives the principal officer's address, which is not shown here.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 9 November 2026 and read 9 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.