Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Home for Little Wanderers Inc

EIN 04-2104764 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HELP VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BUILD PERMANENT, POSITIVE CHANGE.

Income
$106.0 million
Spending
$94.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
1,308
Volunteers
170
Highest pay
$520,810, president & ceo

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 (5)
  1. $30.9 million spent. COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS: THE HOME PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF CLINICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW YORK CITY. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES RECEIVE SERVICES IN THE LOCATIONS THAT ARE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR NEEDS: A CHILD'S OWN HOME, SCHOOL, OR CLINIC.COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS INCLUDE:- ADOPTION AND COMPREHENSIVE FOSTER CARE- CHILD AND FAMILY COUNSELING- CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE - CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD- SAFE AT HOME- THERAPEUTIC AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM- FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER- OUT AT HOME- MASSSTART- WEDIKO NEW YORK- PACT Y - CONNECTED FAMILY RESPITE- PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM- NEW HAMPSHIRE CALL CENTER-YOUTH ON FIRE
  2. $19.5 million spent. RESIDENTIAL & SPECIAL EDUCATION: THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS ARE STAFF-SECURE FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT, OR WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY FUNCTIONING IN THE COMMUNITY DUE TO BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. THE HOME OPERATES THREE PRIVATE, STATE-APPROVED, YEAR-ROUND SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS FOR ACADEMICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH. THE SCHOOLS OFFER HIGHLY STRUCTURED THERAPEUTIC BEHAVIOR SUPPORT SYSTEMS, HAVE SMALL CLASS SIZES, A HIGH STAFF-TO-STUDENT RATIO AND SUPPORT THAT IS TAILORED TO EACH STUDENT'S NEEDS AND TREATMENT PLAN. THE THREE FACILITIES ARE:- COVE SCHOOL - SOUTHEAST CAMPUS, PLYMOUTH, MA - CO-ED AGES 10 TO 18- THE HOME IN WALPOLE - CLIFFORD ACADEMY, WALPOLE, MA - CO-ED AGES 5 TO 18- THE WEDIKO SCHOOL, WINDSOR, NH BOYS AGES 10-18
  3. $19.7 million spent. GROUP HOMES: CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TRANSITIONING BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES, PROGRESSING TO LESS RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENTS OR PREPARING TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, FREQUENTLY NEED SUPPORT TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL MOVE. THE HOME OPERATES FIVE GROUP HOMES PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT AND SERVICES TO THE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. - HARRINGTON HOUSE, MISSION HILL - CO-ED AGES 6 TO 12- THE HOME IN WALPOLE, WALPOLE, MA - CO-ED AGES 12 TO 18 - UNITY HOUSE, KEENE, NH CO-ED AGES 14 TO 18 (LGBTQ POPULATION)- WALTHAM HOUSE, WALTHAM - CO-ED AGES 14 TO 18 (LGBTQ POPULATION)- YOUTH COMMUNITY CRISIS STABILIZATION (YCCS) CO-ED AGES 13 TO 18 (LOCATED AT THE HOME IN WALPOLE)
  4. $2.8 million spent. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES: THE HOME SERVES IN A COORDINATION CAPACITY FOR TWO FAMILY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS IN BOSTON. PROVIDING A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY FOR ALL SERVICES, THE PROGRAMS EMPLOY THE WRAPAROUND APPROACH WHICH PLACES THE FAMILY AT THE CENTER OF PLANNING PROCESS AND BUILDS A TEAM AROUND THE FAMILY'S VISION FOR THEIR CHILD'S FUTURE:- THE HYDE PARK AND PARK STREET COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES SERVE YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED) WHO ARE ENROLLED IN MASSHEALTH STANDARD OR COMMONHEALTH. THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE (CBHI).- FAMILY NETWORKS (PARK STREET AREA LEAD) PARTNERS WITH PARK STREET DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). THE PROGRAM WORKS ONLY WITH CLIENTS REFERRED FROM DCF, ACTING AS A SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY FOR ALL CONTRACTED SERVICES IDENTIFIED IN THE DCF SERVICE PLAN.
  5. $6.8 million spent. TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS: THE HOME OFFERS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS FOR THOSE MOVING INTO ADULTHOOD WHO NEED ADDITIONAL HELP AND RESOURCES TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GOALS AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR MEANINGFUL LIVES:- HILLSBOROUGH VILLAGE SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS PROGRAMING AIMED TO CREATE AN INTERMEDIATE STEP BETWEEN OUR PROGRAM-BASED UNITS AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.- ROXBURY VILLAGE PROVIDES SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUTH WHO ARE - OR ARE AT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS, WHILE HELPING THEM TO DEVELOP CRITICAL SKILLS, LIFE PLANS AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.- SOMERVILLE VILLAGE: SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ENABLES YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT-RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS TO PURSUE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING HOUSING, THERAPEUTIC, EMOTIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTS.- ROXBURY VILLAGE PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN AGES OF 18-22, WHO HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.- LIBERTY VILLAGE IS A SHELTER FOR YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18-25, WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.- ROXBURY HOUSE STAFFED AND SUPPORTED APARTMENTS PROVIDES APARTMENT STYLE HOUSING AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND RECOVERY THROUGH PERSON-CENTERED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE, WORK, ATTEND SCHOOL AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.- SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS - YOUTH RECEIVE INTENSIVE COACHING AROUND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WHILE THEY TRANSITION TO LEARNING TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.- YOUTH ON FIRE PROVIDES A DAY-TIME FACILITY, BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO HOMELESS YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14-24.

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 September 1999.

    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.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.