West End House Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF WEST END HOUSE, INC. D/B/A WEST END HOUSE BOYS & GIRLSCLUB OF ALLSTON-BRIGHTON (THE CLUB) IS TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, RESPONSIBLE, AND CARING CITIZENS. THE CLUB IS AN INDEPENDENT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AND ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON. IT IS THE LARGEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN ALLSTON-BRIGHTON AND ENROLLS YOUNG PEOPLE COMING FROM 23 OF 30 BOSTON ZIP CODES. THE CLUB'S GOALS ARE TO EMPOWER YOUTH AGES 8-24 TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, DISCOVER THEIR ARTISTIC PASSIONS AND SKILLS, ADOPT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS, AND BECOME COMMUNITY LEADERS.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $5.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 302
- Highest pay
- $218,914, chief development officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
- $4.7 million spent. THE CLUB'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE IS SHAPED DIRECTLY BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IT SERVES. CENTERING THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY, THE FOLLOWING FIVE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES HAVE EMERGED TO DRIVE THE CLUB TO A MORE EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE, AND JUST FUTURE:1. EXPAND THE CLUB'S REACH AND DEEPEN ITS IMPACT2. ELEVATE SERVICES FOR DISENGAGED YOUTH3. UPLIFT COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN ALL THE CLUB'S WORK4. BUILD A BEST-IN-CLASS TEAM DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING YOUTH5. GROW RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM IMPACTTHE CLUB SERVES 900 YOUTH AGES 8 THROUGH 24 INCLUDING THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, SUMMER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND ALUMNI ENROLLED IN THE COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM. IN ADDITIONAL 160 FAMILIES ARE SERVED THROUGH THE FOOD FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM. ALTHOUGH ANNUAL YOUTH MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE $15, IT IS FREE FOR TEENS, YOUTH RESIDING IN SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, AND FOR FAMILIES IN THE FOOD FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM. THE CLUB'S CURRENT PROGRAMING INCLUDE: *ACADEMIC SUCCESS: DESIGNED TO HELP AGED 8-18 SUCCEED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND BEYOND. THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPPORT (HOMEWORK HELP, ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING), TIMELY ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. SOME OF THE CLUB'S KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE STEM PROGRAMMING, READING BUDDIES, POWER HOUR AND COLLEGE ACCESS. *COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS: DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING YOUTH AGES 18-24, WITH FOUR FULL-TIME STAFF THAT PROVIDE STRENGTH-BASED COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT IN 1-ON-1 AND GROUP SETTINGS FOR CLUB ALUMNI WHO ARE PURSUING A COLLEGE DEGREE AND/OR MEANINGFUL, CAREER-ORIENTED EMPLOYMENT. FOLLOWING A 7+ YEAR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS IN GUIDING YOUNG PEOPLE TO EARN COLLEGE DEGREES, INCLUDING MANY FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS. THE CLUB EXPANDED PROGRAMMING TO FOCUS ON YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DESIRE EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION. *LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT: THE CLUB'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE IS A UNIQUE, MULTI-YEAR CONTINUUM DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, POSITIONING THEM FOR SUCCESS AS THEY ACHIEVE LONG-TERM CAREER ADVANCEMENT. THE CLUB'S PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT PIPELINE SUPPORTS YOUTH AGES 14-24 TO BOLSTER CAREER READINESS SKILLS, ENGAGE IN ON-SITE AND EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT, AND COMPLETE CAREER-ALIGNED PAID INTERNSHIPS OF UP TO $5,000 PROVIDED BY THE CLUB TO BOLSTER INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC SKILLS.*VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS: WORKSHOPS DELIVERED BY FULL AND PART TIME STAFF WHO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, MEDIA ARTS, AND DANCE THAT HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP MASTERY-LEVEL SKILLS VIA PROGRESSIVE LEARNING. YOUTH LEARN THE BASICS THEN DEVELOP HIGHER SKILL LEVELS WHICH CULMINATE IN A FINISHED PRODUCT OR PERFORMANCE TO SHARE WITH THEIR PEERS. IN ADDITION, THE CLUB'S ARTS CLASSES OFFER EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER CRITICAL THINKING AND NON-COGNITIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT.*SPORTS, FITNESS, AND NUTRITION: PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING LIFELONG, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING DINNER AND SNACK MADE FROM SCRATCH DAILY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND LUNCH DURING THE SUMMER WITH ACCESS TO WHOLE GRAINS, FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND LEAN PROTEINS. THE CLUB ALSO ENGAGES YOUTH IN A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO KEEP THEM MOVING FOR 60 MINUTES A DAY, AND OFFER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FITNESS CLASSES, COOKING CLASSES AND FITNESS/ANATOMY INSTRUCTION.*TRAUMA-INFORMED WELLNESS: PROGRAMS EMBEDDED IN ALL THE CLUB'S PROGRAMMING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE CLUB HAS ADDED THIS CRITICAL ENHANCEMENT TO ITS SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN 2023, THE CLUB EXPANDED ITS TRAUMA-INFORMED PROGRAMMING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS' EDISON K-8 SCHOOL. PROGRAMMING IS PROVIDED ON SITE AT THE EDISON SCHOOL FROM THE CLUB'S MANAGER OF THERAPEUTIC ART PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS.*FOOD FOR FAMILIES: PROVIDES GROCERIES ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY. FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE CLUB LAUNCHED A FULL-SCALE GROCERY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK, SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION IN MARCH 2020, THE CLUB HAS PROVIDED FAMILIES WITH GROCERIES TOTALING OVER 1,000,000 POUNDS OF FOOD. SURVEY DATA FROM FAMILIES INDICATED THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING EQUITABLE FOOD ACCESS FOR ALL.OUTCOMES AND EVALUATIONTHE CLUB CONTINUES TO TRACK AND MONITOR YOUTH PROGRESS TO MEASURE INDIVIDUAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESS WITH THE FOLLOWING TOOLS:*NATIONAL YOUTH OUTCOMES INITIATIVE (NYOI): A SURVEY TOOL CREATED BY THE CLUB'S NATIONAL AFFILIATE, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA, WHICH USES A COMMON SET OF RESEARCH INFORMED INDICATORS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF THE CLUB IN SEVEN PRIORITY AREAS: SENSE OF BELONGING, EMOTIONAL SAFETY, PHYSICAL SAFETY, FUN, ADULT CONNECTION, STAFF EXPECTATIONS, AND RECOGNITION.*YOUTH PROGRAM QUALITY ASSESSMENT (YPQA) AND YOUTH PROGRAM QUALITY INTERVENTION (YPQI): METHODS OF MEASURING THE QUALITY OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AND IDENTIFYING STAFF TRAINING NEEDS IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CAMPS, AND OTHER PLACES WHERE YOUTH IN GRADES K-12 HAVE FUN, WORK, AND LEARN WITH ADULTS. ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS INCLUDE SAFE ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, INTERACTION, ENGAGEMENT, YOUTH-ORIENTED POLICIES AND PRACTICES, HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUTH AND STAFF, AND ACCESS. THIS SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS FACILITATES BUILDING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES BY EXAMINING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PROGRAMS.*SURVEY OF ACADEMIC YOUTH OUTCOMES (SAYO): AN EVIDENCE-BASED TOOL THAT MEASURES IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR. SAYO RELIES ON STAFF OBSERVATIONS AND YOUTH SURVEYS TO ASSESS IMPROVEMENTS IN BEHAVIOR, INITIATIVE, ENGAGEMENT IN LEARNING, PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS, COMMUNICATION, PEER RELATIONSHIPS, AND READING LEVEL. IT RECOGNIZES DIFFICULT TO MEASURE CAPABILITIES SUCH AS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AN
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1935.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 2026.
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