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Gavin Foundation Inc

EIN 04-3220123 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GAVIN FOUNDATION PROVIDES SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, COUNSELING, HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS LOCATED IN THE SOUTH BOSTON AREA OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

Income
$28.9 million
Spending
$25.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
11 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
329
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$445,085, president/ceo (until 7/24)

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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 (4)
  1. $9.5 million spent. THE QUINCY ATS/CSS (DETOX) PROGRAM PROVIDES ACUTE TREATMENT SERVICES ("ATS") AND CLINICAL STABILIZATION SERVICES ("CSS") TO ADULTS STRUGGLING WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, INCLUDING HEROIN AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STABILIZING INDIVIDUALS, ENHANCING THEIR MOTIVATION TO CHANGE, AND LINKING THEM TO CONTINUED TREATMENT AND COLLATERAL SERVICES.
  2. $6.2 million spent. THE ADULT RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM IS AN INTENSIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOME PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION TO INDIVIDUALS IN BOSTON AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE RECENTLY ACHIEVED SOBRIETY AND REQUIRE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN AND MAINTAIN THEIR SOBRIETY. A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE REVENUE OF THIS PROGRAM IS DERIVED FROM SERVICES DELIVERED TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THE GAVIN HOUSE LOCATED IN SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, THE CHARLESTOWN RECOVERY HOUSE LOCATED IN CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, THE BOSTON HAMILTON HOUSE LOCATED IN DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS AND EILEEN'S HOUSE LOCATED IN DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. THE CENTER FOR RECOVERY SERVICES PROGRAM OFFERS ASSESSMENT, AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE, ABUSE AND ADDICTION. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LICENSED CLINICIANS AND INCLUDE: ASSESSMENT, COUNSELING, RELAPSE PREVENTION, CASE MANAGEMENT, ANGER MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCED STRUCTURED OUTPATIENT ADDICTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 16 TO 20. THE CENTER FOR RECOVERY SERVICES PROGRAM IS LICENSED AS AN OUTPATIENT PROGRAM BY THE BUREAU OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH. THE AGENCY IS ALSO AN APPROVED PROVIDER OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES BY THE MASSACHUSETTS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AND IS APPROVED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE.
  4. $3.7 million spent. THE RECOVERY HOMES COLLABORATIVE WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF RECOVERY RESIDENCES ("NARR") TO CREATE A PROCESS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NARR'S NATIONAL STANDARDS ON SOBER HOME CERTIFICATION AND PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.THE GRADUATE CENTER PROVIDES RESIDENCE TO GRADUATES OF THE ADULT RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS.

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 May 1995.

    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.