Hands on Hartford Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HANDS ON HARTFORD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS, STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY IN HARTFORD BY RESPONDING FAITHFULLY TO PEOPLE IN NEED THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT CHANGE LIVES AND RENEW HUMAN POSSIBILITY.
- Income
- $6.6 million
- Spending
- $6.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 39%
- Employees
- 77
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $168,600, former exec director
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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 (4)
- $4.9 million spent. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM ORIENTS, TRAINS, SUPPORTS, AND PLACES VOLUNTEERS WITH ALL OF OUR DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO MANAGES LARGER CUSTOMIZED SERVICE PROJECTS, IMMERSIONS AND "DASH FOR A DIFFERENCE" EVENTS PROVIDING SERVICE LEARNING BOTH AT HANDS ON HARTFORD AND AT NON-PROFITS, SCHOOLS AND PARKS THROUGHOUT HARTFORD. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ALSO ENCOMPASSES THE FACES OF HOMELESSNESS SPEAKERS' BUREAU, THROUGH WHICH SPEAKERS SHARE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES OF HOMELESSNESS WITH DIVERSE AUDIENCES. IN 2024, OVER 1,400 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED MORE THAN 22,000 HOURS OF SERVICE IN THE HARTFORD AREA.
- OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERS REFERRALS, UTILITY ASSISTANCE THROUGH PRIVATE FUNDS AND OPERATION FUEL, SECURITY DEPOSIT AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND REFERRALS, NUTRITION EDUCATION AND HEALTH SCREENINGS TO HARTFORD RESIDENTS. WE PROVIDED HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES TO ABOUT 300 HOUSEHOLDS IN 2024. OUR DAY CENTER IS OPEN FOUR DAYS AND ONE EVENING A WEEK (INCLUDING A FREE DINNER), WHICH IS A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE CARING STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS GIVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY TO THOSE WHO OFTEN LIVE ISOLATED LIVES, AND WHERE GUESTS CAN SPEND THE DAY INDOORS. STAFF TRAINED IN SOCIAL WORK HELP GUESTS STABILIZE THEIR SITUATIONS AND TAKE STEPS TO MOVE TOWARD PERMANENT HOUSING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND HEALTH-CHECKS, A BIMONTHLY WALK-IN CLINIC, ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, RISK REDUCTION ITEMS AND HELP WITH REFERRALS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THIS PROGRAM OFTEN BECOMES A SPRINGBOARD FOR POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES, INCLUDING ACCESSING RESOURCES TO HELP WITH BENEFITS, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT.
- THE MANNA COMMUNITY PANTRY IS A FULL CHOICE SHOPPING MODEL PANTRY, ALLOWING CLIENTS TO CHOOSE FOOD THAT WILL SUIT THEIR FAMILIES' NEEDS AND TASTES, MINIMIZING FOOD WASTE AND MAXIMIZING NUTRITIONAL VALUE. PRE-BAGGED GROCERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BASED ON CLIENT CHOICE. GROCERIES INCLUDE NON-PERISHABLE STAPLES, ALONG WITH BREAD, MILK, EGGS, FRESH PRODUCE, FROZEN MEAT (INCLUDING HALAL MEAT). FOOD IS LABELED BASED ON THE SWAP (SUPPORTING WELLNESS AT PANTRIES) SYSTEM, RATING IT BASED ON SUGAR, SALT AND SATURATED FAT CONTENT. WE ALSO OFFER BASIC PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS AND DIAPERS. WE SERVED AN AVERAGE OF OVER 800 HOUSEHOLDS EACH MONTH THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. IN 2025, AND DISTRIBUTED ABOUT 500,000 POUNDS OF FOOD.
- BACKPACK NUTRITION PROGRAMTHE BACKPACK NUTRITION PROGRAM SERVES HARTFORD CHILDREN WHO RELY ON FREE-OF-CHARGE SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE SEND HOME A BACKPACK CONTAINING TWO BREAKFASTS AND TWO LUNCHES ALONG WITH DRINKS AND SNACKS (INCLUDING SHELF STABLE MILK) EACH FRIDAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE ALSO ADD WEEKLY ENHANCEMENTS, SUCH AS FRESH FRUIT, CANNED CHICKEN, COMMUNITY RESOURCES INFORMATION, NUTRITION RESOURCE INFORMATION, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES. HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY (HOPE)THE HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION WITH CONNECTICUT HARM REDUCTION COALITION AIMED AT HELPING TO GET FOLKS WHO ARE 60 AND OLDER WHO ARE LIVING UNSHELTERED INTO PERMANENT HOMES OF THEIR OWN. THE TEAM SEEKS OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN TENTS, UNDER BRIDGES, IN WOODED AREAS, ETC., PROVIDES THEM WITH WARM CLOTHING, SNACKS, BEVERAGES, AND WORKS TO FIND THEM A WARM PLACE TO SLEEP INDOORS. THEY ALSO CONNECT WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 60 AND OLDER AND HOMELESS WHO ATTEND OUR DAY CENTER (INREACH). THEY CONNECT THEM WITH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED, AND WORK TO MATCH THEM TO HOUSING PROGRAMS WITH AN ULTIMATE GOAL OF ENSURING THAT EACH PERSON THEY ENCOUNTER FINDS A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME. HOMELESS TO HOUSING (H2H)THE HOMELESS TO HOUSING PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATION WITH MERCY HOUSING AND SHELTER CORPORATION AIMED AT HELPING TO GET FOLKS WHO ARE LIVING UNSHELTERED INTO PERMANENT HOMES OF THEIR OWN. A PEER SUPPORT PERSON SEEKS OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN TENTS, UNDER BRIDGES, IN WOODED AREAS, ETC., PROVIDES THEM WITH WARM CLOTHING, SNACKS, BEVERAGES, AND WORKS TO FIND THEM A WARM PLACE TO SLEEP INDOORS. THEY CONNECT THEM WITH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED, AND WORK TO MATCH THEM TO HOUSING PROGRAMS WITH AN ULTIMATE GOAL OF ENSURING THAT EACH PERSON THEY ENCOUNTER FINDS A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME. CONNECTICUT INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING NEIGHBORHOODS (CIHHN)THROUGH THE CIHHN PROGRAM, WE SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN FINDING AND KEEPING SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT AND PATIENT NAVIGATION SERVICES TO INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY AND POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. PARTICIPANTS WERE FORMERLY HOMELESS, HAVE COMPLEX MEDICAL ISSUES AND ARE HIGH USERS OF MEDICAID-SUPPORTED HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES. HANDS ON HARTFORD HOUSING SERVICESWE PROVIDE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FOLKS WITH SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES (INCLUDING THOSE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS), BOTH ONSITE, AND IN INDIVIDUAL'S HOMES THROUGHOUT THE HARTFORD AREA. WE ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND INDIVIDUALIZED HOUSING STABILIZATION OR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES TO NEIGHBORS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE LINKAGE AND REFERRAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT A 32-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED INCOME.PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES (PSH)WE PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR UP TO 24 FOLKS WITH SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES LIVING IN VARIOUS SCATTERED SITE LOCATIONS IN THE HARTFORD AREA.ZEZZO HOUSE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICESWE PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 18 HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE MEMBERS WITH SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES (INCLUDING THOSE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS), AT AN OFFSITE RESIDENCE IN HARTFORD.FAXON APARTMENTS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICESWE PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TENANTS IN 14 APARTMENTS DEDICATED TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE STRUGGLED WITH HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSTABILITY AT AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN WEST HARTFORD.COMMUNITY KITCHEN/SHARED USE KITCHENHANDS ON HARTFORD'S SHARED USE KITCHEN IS AVAILABLE FOR USE BY QUALIFIED FOOD OPERATORS ON A MEMBERSHIP BASIS ON AN HOURLY BASIS. SMALL CULINARY BUSINESSES JOIN THE SHARED KITCHEN AND BENEFIT FROM A MODERN, RENOVATED, LICENSED KITCHEN FOR PRODUCT PREPARATION AND DEVELOPMENT, COOKING CLASSES, ETC. WE ALSO WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A GROUP OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN THE CULINARY COLLABORATIVE, DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE MEMBERS OF OUR KITCHEN TO STRENGTHEN AND FURTHER THEIR BUSINESSES. GATHER55 DAYTIME SERVICEGATHER55 IS A "PARTICIPATION MODEL" RESTAURANT OPEN FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, AT OUR 55 BARTHOLOMEW STREET LOCATION AND IS DESIGNED TO BRING DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER WHILE ENSURING LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORS HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS AND APPETIZING MEALS. PATRONS MAY PAY THE POSTED PRICE ON THE MENU, OR A MINIMUM OF $3 OR $5. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY, WE OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER FOR A HOUR, SERVING COFFEE, CLEARING TABLES, HELPING IN THE KITCHEN, ETC. AS AN ALTERNATE METHOD OF PARTICIPATING IN OUR MISSION. AND FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY OR VOLUNTEER, WE OFFER "ON-THE-HOUSE" VOUCHERS FOR MEALS. WE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 40,000 GUESTS DURING THE DAY IN 2024. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THOSE SERVED PAID THE MINIMUM, VOLUNTEERED, OR USED VOUCHERS.GATHER55 EVENING SERVICEGATHER55'S DINNER SERVICE MODEL IS OPEN WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVENINGS. DINNER IS A FINE-DINING EXPERIENCE BASED ON A PRIX FIXE MENU. A PERCENTAGE OF RESERVATIONS PER EVENING ARE RESERVED FOR FOLKS NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THEIR MEALS. THIS ALLOWS THESE DINERS TO ENJOY A SPECIAL NIGHT OUT AND FURTHERS OUR MISSION OF CONNECTING COMMUNITIES. MENUS ARE DEVELOPED MONTHLY BY LOCALLY POPULAR GUEST CHEFS AND INCOME EARNED THROUGH THE EVENING SERVICE HELPS TO OFFSET THE COST OF BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVICE.55B APARTMENTSTHIRTEEN ONE-BEDROOM AND EFFICIENCY STYLE APARTMENTS AT HANDS ON HARTFORD PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING TO 13 INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES BECAUSE OF SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES. 24/7 SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR HOUSING SERVICES PROGRAM.
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 November 6, 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 May 1970.
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 November 4, 2026.
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