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Operation Hope of Fairfield Inc

EIN 06-1193489 · Fairfield, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE WITH PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON ELIMINATING HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS, ADDRESSING COMPLEX NEEDS & ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE. HELP PEOPLE SOLVE THEIR CRISES & BUILD STABILITY IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF COMPASSION, DIGNITY & HOPE.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
36
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$199,878, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 September 30, 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE CLINICAL SUPPORT AND AFFORDABLE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTS A TEAM OF SKILLED SOCIAL WORKERS, INCLUDING MSWS AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS COACHES, THAT PROVIDES CLINICAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO HELP COMMUNITY RESIDENTS DEVELOP AND OBTAIN HOUSING MAINTENANCE SKILLS, INCREASE THEIR INCOME, WORK ON THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND INCREASE THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND INDEPENDENCE. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HOUSING UNITS, CLIENTS WHO RESIDE IN MARKET RATE UNITS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE WAITING TO BE HOUSED.
  2. $1.4 million spent. THE HOMELESS RESPONSE CENTER/SHELTER PROGRAM/COMMUNITY KITCHEN/FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES OUTREACH SERVICES, EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD AND SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED SHELTERS FOR MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES THROUGH DECEMBER 2018 AFTER WHICH IT DISCONTINUED SHELTER OPERATIONS IN FAVOR OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES FIND & KEEP PERMANENT HOUSING THROUGH A HOMELESS RESPONSE CENTER TEAM THAT CONDUCTS OUTREACH, INTAKE, CASE MANAGEMENT & HOUSING PLACEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXISTING SHORT-TERM RAPID REHOUSING & SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS. THERE IS ALSO A COMMUNITY KITCHEN SERVING TWO MEALS A DAY (LUNCH & DINNER), AND A FOOD PANTRY TO PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS TO THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. OUTREACH AND INFORMATION/REFERRAL SERVICES ARE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO USERS OF THE PANTRY & KITCHEN SERVICES.
  3. $31,414 spent. THE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BECOME DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THE ORGANIZATION BY VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME AND TALENTS. BASED UPON THEIR SKILLS AND PREFERENCES, VOLUNTEERS ARE MATCHED WITH APPROPRIATE PROJECT BASED SHORT OR LONG TERM ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: COOKING OR SERVING MEALS, HELPING IN THE FOOD PANTRY, TUTORING, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES, BABYSITTING, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OR FUND RAISING EVENT SUPPORT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 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 July 1987.

    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.