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Hope Works Inc

EIN 03-0284577 · Burlington, VT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOPE WORKS, INC. IS DEDICATED TO ENDING ALL FORMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING THE CHITTENDEN COUNTY COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CONTINUED PROVISION OF OUR SERVICES, AND TO BEING A LEADING VOICE IN THE STATE OF VERMONT FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN LAW AND SOCIETY. WE PROVIDE CRISIS COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY FOR THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE. OUR EDUCATION/OUTREACH WORK STRIVES TO CHANGE THE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS THAT PERPETUATE AND CONDONE THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. WE CONSTANTLY SEEK TO EXPAND OUR EFFORTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND WELCOME ALL TO OUR AGENCY. SUPPORT FOR OUR MISSION IS ACTIVELY SOUGHT THROUGH FUNDRAISING, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Income
$692,106
Spending
$615,794
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
13
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$50,264, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $399,349 spent. HOTLINE, CLINICAL THERAPY & ADVOCACY: TRAINED STAFF AND VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES PROVIDE CRISIS SUPPORT, ONGOING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS THROUGH THE HOTLINE. ADVOCATES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO ACCOMPANY SURVIVORS TO THE HOSPITAL FOR FORENSIC EXAMS AND TO POLICE STATIONS FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO REPORT. IN ADDITION, TRAINED VOLUNTEERS OPERATE A CHAT LINE WHICH PROVIDES WEB-BASED, SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY. IN ADDITION STAFF PROVIDE REGULAR SUPPORT GROUPS AS WELL AS CLINICAL THERAPY SERVICES FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
  2. $56,410 spent. EDUCATION & OUTREACH: ACTIVITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SAFETY THROUGH WORKSHOPS, EDUCATION EVENTS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1983.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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