The Fortune Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FORTUNE SOCIETY'S (FORTUNE) MISSION IS TO SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL REENTRY FROM INCARCERATION AND PROMOTE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION, THUS STRENGTHENING THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DO THIS BY BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF PEOPLE TO CHANGE, BUILDING PROGRAMS SHAPED
- Income
- $81.9 million
- Spending
- $82.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 972
- Volunteers
- 55
- Highest pay
- $332,482, president & ceo (outgoing)
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
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 75% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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 (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 28 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 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)
- $25.8 million spent. OUR HOUSING PROGRAMS EMPOWER HOMELESS, FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES THROUGH STABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BY PROVIDING LOW-THRESHOLD ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AT THE FORTUNE ACADEMY ("THE CASTLE"), AND OUR (AT PRESENT) THREE FREEDOM HOUSES, SUPPORTIVE PERMANENT HOUSING AT CASTLE GARDENS AND MANDAELA COMMUNITY AND THROUGH OUR SCATTER-SITE HOUSING PROGRAM, WE MEET BOTH THE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS. PARTICIPATING CLIENTS CAN TAKE THE FIRST STEPS ON THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS BECOMING POSITIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF FORTUNE'S REENTRY SERVICES. IN FY2025, WE SERVED 242 SCATTERED-SITE CLIENTS, 159 CLIENTS AT THE FORTUNE ACADEMY, 52 ACTIVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CLIENTS AT CASTLE GARDENS, 63 CLIENTS AT MANDAELA COMMUNITY AND 1,456 CLIENTS AT THE FREEDOM HOUSES. MANY CLIENTS LEAVING OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WENT ON TO SUCCESSFUL PERMANENT HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH SOME ALSO CONTINUING TO ENGAGE IN THE ARRAY OF SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED.
- $22.9 million spent. OUR ATI PROGRAM, FREEDOM REDUCES THE PRISON AND JAIL POPULATIONS, SAVE TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AND EACH YEAR HELP HUNDREDS OF MEN AND WOMEN LEARN HOW TO LEAD CRIME-FREE, PRODUCTIVE LIVES. CLIENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR ATI PROGRAM RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND GROUP COUNSELING, UTILIZING EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO FORTUNE'S WRAP-AROUND SERVICES. THOSE WHO COMPLETE THEIR PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVE SENTENCES THAT REQUIRE NO FURTHER INCARCERATION, INCLUDING PROBATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. IN FY2025, WE SERVED 314 PARTICIPANTS IN OUR ATI PROGRAM AND SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED 82% OF CLIENTS ELIGIBLE FOR COMPLETION. ADDITIONALLY, OUR ATI ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES ENHANCED SERVICES TO THOSE RECEIVING ATI SERVICES THROUGH OUR FREEDOM PROGRAM. SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED THROUGH FORTUNE OR BY WAY OF REFERRALS TO EXTERNAL PROVIDERS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MEET IDENTIFIED NEEDS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL LEGAL INVOLVEMENT ESTABLISH STABILITY, REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, ACHIEVE GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND REINTEGRATE FULLY INTO THE COMMUNITY. IN FY25, WE SERVED 5988. LASTLY, OUR PAROLE SERVICES PROGRAM (PSP) SERVES INDIVIDUALS ON PAROLE AND ALSO OPERATE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION (ATI) AND ALTERNATIVE TO DETENTION (ATD) FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING PAROLE VIOLATIONS BY OFFERING ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS ADVOCACY AND SERVICES. IN FY25, WE SERVED 806 INDIVIDUALS.
- $5.1 million spent. FORTUNE HAS OFFERED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SINCE JULY 2011 THROUGH THE BETTER LIVING CENTER (BLC), OUR OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH (OMH) MENTAL HEALTH OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (MHOTRS) CENTER. THE BLC WORKS TO FACILITATE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WHO ALSO HAVE HISTORIES OF INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING THE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, TREATMENT, AND THERAPY THEY NEED TO MANAGE THEIR MENTAL ILLNESS, WHILE ALSO MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THEIR OTHER LIFE GOALS. IN FY2025, WE SERVED 308 CLIENTS THROUGH THE BLC'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. OUR NYS OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS (OASAS)-LICENSED OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES PROGRAM EMPOWERS CLIENTS TO ADDRESS AND OVERCOME SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES. OUR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM SUPPORTS CLIENTS' EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE RECOVERY FROM THE LIFE-LONG CHRONIC ILLNESS OF SUBSTANCE USE AND AS PART OF THEIR LARGER TRANSITION TO A PRO-SOCIAL, SELF-DIRECTED LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE PROVIDE CLIENT-CENTERED TREATMENT THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH CLIENT'S MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A FULL ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM ORIENTATION, FOLLOWED BY INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING. WE ALSO OFFER LIFETIME AFTERCARE, SO OUR CLIENTS KNOW THEY CAN RELY ON US TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE FUTURE CHALLENGES. IN FY2025, WE SERVED 322 CLIENTS IN OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM. 45% OF THE CLIENTS DISCONTINUED SUBSTANCE USE UPON DISCHARGE FROM FORTUNE'S SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM.HEALTH SERVICES: FALLING UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT, OUR DROP IN CENTER AND CARE MANAGEMENT UNIT (CMU). DIC OFFERS CLIENTS RAPID HIV TESTING, PREVENTION EDUCATION, CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTION TO QUALITY, COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT AND CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH OR AT-RISK FOR HIV/AIDS. THIS HOLISTIC AND INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVING FORMERLY INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS, OR AT RISK OF DEVELOPING HIV/AIDS, HELPS ENSURE THEIR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. IN FY2025, WE SERVED 510 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR DROP-IN CENTER PROGRAM WHICH HELPS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ON RIKERS ISLAND, MANHATTAN DETENTION COMPLEX, BROOKLYN DETENTION COMPLEX AND VERNON C. BAIN CENTER TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH ON-SITE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES. WE ALSO ENROLLED 336 CLIENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM; THEY RECEIVED CASE MANAGEMENT, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, GROUP SERVICES, AND MEDICATION SUPPORT. OUR CARE MANAGEMENT UNIT IS A COMPREHENSIVE TEAM OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THOSE WITH CHRONIC OR COMPLEX; MEDICAL CONDITIONS RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED. ONCE ENROLLED, STAFF SCHEDULE KEY APPOINTMENTS AND HELP PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES INCLUDING CONNECTIONS TO PRIMARY CARE (AND SPECIALISTS WHEN NEEDED), ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE PROVIDERS, ASSISTANCE WITH PRESCRIPTION REFILLS, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES SUPPORT AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE (BENEFITS, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM/SNAP, ID, HOUSING REFERRALS), PATIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT, AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT. THE CARE MANAGEMENT UNIT IS OPEN TO ALL PARTICIPANTS CURRENTLY ON MEDICAID THAT HAVE CHRONIC MEDICAL AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. IN FY25, CMU SERVED 270 INDIVIDUALS.
- $17.3 million spent. TRANSITIONAL SERVICES: THE TRANSITIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES DISCHARGE PLANNING SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS DURING THEIR INCARCERATION ON RIKERS ISLAND AND THEN CONTINUING REENTRY SUPPORT FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE. IN FY2025, 367 PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AFTER THEIR RELEASE FROM RIKERS. BENEFIT ACCESS: THE BENEFIT ACCESS PROGRAM IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF FORTUNE'S ADMISSIONS AND INTAKE PROCESS. ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO ENROLL IN FORTUNE ARE OFFERED TO MEET WITH AN ENTITLEMENT SPECIALIST TO ASSESS INDIVIDUALS FOR NEEDED SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE WITH CONNECTION TO THOSE SERVICES. WE HELP PARTICIPANTS NAVIGATE THE APPLICATION PROCESS SO THEY CAN SECURE CRITICAL BENEFITS SUCH AS SNAP (FOOD STAMPS) AND MEDICAID AND STABILIZE THEMSELVES FINANCIALLY. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH EXPERT ADVICE TO HELP WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, SUCH AS CHILD SUPPORT, EVICTIONS, ACCESSING AND CORRECTING RAP SHEETS, LEGAL SERVICES, FINANCIAL SERVICES, CREDIT ASSISTANCE, AND MUCH MORE. IN FY2025, WE SCREENED 5,818 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR BENEFIT ACCESS PROGRAM, ASSISTING THEM IN OBTAINING CASH AND NON-CASH PUBLIC BENEFITS. NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FY2025 INCLUDED 854 SNAP BENEFIT RECIPIENTS, 709 MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, 724 SAFETY NET/CASH ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS, AND 103 LEGAL COUNSELING SESSIONS.EDUCATION: OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM EMPOWERS PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD THE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (HSE) DIPLOMA, ATTENDING COLLEGE, AND PREPARING FOR TODAY'S JOB MARKET. PARTICIPANTS CAN DEVELOP ESSENTIAL READING, WRITING, MATH, AND COMPUTER SKILLS WITH THE SUPPORT OF FORTUNE'S DEDICATED TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, AND VOLUNTEER TUTORS. OUR SMALL CLASS SIZE ALLOWS EACH INDIVIDUAL TO PROGRESS AT HIS OR HER OWN PACE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL STUDENTS FEEL RESPECTED AND HAVE A SAY IN WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING. DURING FY2025, WE SERVED A TOTAL OF 158 STUDENTS IN OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS.EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: OUR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP FORMERLY INCARCERATED JOBSEEKERS WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND THRIVE IN THE WORKPLACE. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO HELP MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS BEGIN THEIR CAREERS AND ADVANCE PROFESSIONALLY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE CAREER READINESS WORKSHOPS, SECTOR-BASED SKILLS TRAININGS IN GREEN CONSTRUCTION, ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND TRANSPORTATION. WE ALSO ASSIST WITH JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE AND RETENTION SERVICES. TO ENCOURAGE SUCCESSFUL INVOLVEMENT, WE OFFER STIPENDS FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN OUR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM. WE ALSO OFFER SUBSIDIZED 10-WEEK INTERNSHIPS, KNOWN AS TRANSITIONAL WORK, TO HELP JOB SEEKERS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ADVANCE IN THEIR DESIRED CAREER PATHWAYS IN FY2025, 2,037 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SERVICES; OF THOSE, 566 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN AND 496 COMPLETED OUR JOB READINESS WORKSHOP. WE WERE ABLE TO PLACE 229 INDIVIDUALS IN PERMANENT AND SUBSIDIZED JOBS WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR. THE AVERAGE STARTING SALARY FOR ALL JOBS WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR WAS $21.00/HOUR.FAMILY SERVICES: OUR FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING SESSIONS; AND FAMILY-CENTERED EVENTS, SPECIFICALLY UNDER OUR WOMEN'S RISING PROGRAM AND OUR ABUSIVE PARTNER INTERVENTION PROGRAM (APIP). OUR STAFF WORK INDIVIDUALLY WITH CLIENTS, MEETING THEM ONE-ON-ONE FOR COUNSELING AND IN GROUPS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SKILLS TO BETTER COMMUNICATE, DISCIPLINE, AND ENHANCE THEIR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT AND HELP THEM COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH OTHER PARENTS TO DEVELOP BETTER CO-PARENTING APPROACHES (I.E. PARENTING CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS). CLIENTS ALSO RECEIVE REFERRALS ON FAMILY LAW ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION FROM OUR PARTNERS AT LEGAL INFORMATION FOR TODAY (FAMILY LEGAL CARE) REGARDING CUSTODY, CHILD SUPPORT, OR ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILD SERVICES (ACS) INVOLVEMENT. OUR WOMEN'S RISING PROGRAM, PROVIDES WOMEN-SPECIFIC GROUPS AND EMPLOYMENT FOCUSED WORKSHOPS AND APIP PROVIDES COURT ADVOCACY, INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND GROUP COUNSELING SERVICES, UTILIZING THE CURRICULA, "DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND "TURNING POINTS", WHICH FOCUS ON THE DYNAMICS AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. IN FY2025, WE ENROLLED 617 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR APIP PROGRAM, SERVED 745 AND MAINTAINED AN 83% SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION RATE, AND IN OUR WOMEN'S RISING PROGRAM WE SERVED 245 INDIVIDUALS. FOOD AND NUTRITION: FORTUNE PROVIDES DAILY HOT MEALS AT OUR MAIN SERVICE CENTER IN LIC AND AT OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FACILITY, THE FORTUNE ACADEMY, IN HARLEM. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDE MEALS TO OUR FREEDOM HOUSING RESIDENTS. WE PROVIDE HEALTHY COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION WORKSHOPS. WE HOLD COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS IN WEST HARLEM, LIC, BROOKLYN AND THE SOUTH BRONX AND OPERATE TWO FOOD PANTRIES IN LIC AND THE SOUTH BRONX FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS. FORTUNE FRESH IS A CLIENT-CHOICE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDING FOOD INSECURE FORTUNE PARTICIPANTS WITH PANTRY STAPLES AND FRESH PRODUCE. IN FY2025, WE PROVIDED 133,392 NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO OUR CLIENTS. IN ADDITION TO FOOD, THE MEAL PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE BUILT AT FORTUNE. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED 117,738 POUNDS OF NY STATE GROWN FRESH PRODUCE TO LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS.PUBLIC POLICY: WITH OVER 50 YEARS' EXPERIENCE, FORTUNE IS NOW ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING INNOVATORS IN ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY. IN FY2025, WE CONTINUED THE LONG TRADITION OF ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. THROUGH POLICY DEVELOPMENT, ADVOCACY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION, THE DAVID ROTHENBERG CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM WORKS TO BUILD AN EQUITABLE AND CONSCIONABLE JUSTICE SYSTEM, CHANGE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE LAWS AND POLICIES, AND PROMOTE EFFECTIVE PROGRAM MODELS FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL LEGAL HISTORIES.
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
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 June 2025.
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 June 1969.
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.
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.