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John Ashford Link House Inc

EIN 04-2498329 · Amesbury, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE-USE TREATMENT AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 44%
Employees
76
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$153,399, executive director

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $849,795 spent. LINK HOUSE, INC. OPERATES A 20-BED, 6-MONTH INTENSIVE MEN'S ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITY WITH 24-HOUR SUPERVISION BASED IN NEWBURYPORT, MA SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1972. THESE MEN HAVE RECENTLY ACHIEVED SOBRIETY AND ARE LEARNING TO MANAGE LONG-TERM RECOVERY WHILE EMPLOYING CASE MANAGEMENT, VOLUNTEERING, AND ATTENDING GROUPS AND ONE-ON-ONE CLINICAL APPOINTMENTS.
  2. $621,021 spent. THE MARIS CENTER FOR WOMEN IN SALISBURY, MA, A 40-BED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN RECOVERY WITH SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
  3. $204,991 spent. PROGRESS HOUSE IS A LONGER-TERM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM WITH CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 25 MEN TO WORK ON THEIR RECOVERY IN A HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE, SAFE, AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT FOR UP TO TWO YEARS.
  4. $1.4 million spent. LINK HOUSE ALSO OPERATES AN OUTPATIENT THERAPY PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGE 5+ AND WORKS WITH STUDENTS IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TO TREAT MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. THE OUTPATIENT THERAPY DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS MOST PRIVATE INSURANCE, AS WELL AS MEDICAID AND MEDICARE WHICH ASSISTS 95% OF OUR CLIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, LHI OWNS AND OPERATES WOMEN'S INDEPENDENT SOBER HOUSE (WISH) NEWBURYPORT, WHICH PROVIDES PERMANENT HOUSING FOR 16 WOMEN IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY IN A SUPPORTIVE, SAFE, AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.