Lifting Up Westchester Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Lifting Up Westchester, Inc. provides life-changing support to people who have lost their housing or are struggling to meet other basic needs. They partner with those they serve to build a more secure future for themselves and their families.
- Income
- $13.9 million
- Spending
- $9.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 81%
- Employees
- 107
- Volunteers
- 2,485
- Highest pay
- $250,989, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 21 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, 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)
- $7.5 million spent. HOUSING: LUW has two types of housing programs:Housing Success: a shelter-based program focused on helping shelter guests find market-rate housing and transition into that housing successfully. Our Housing Success Specialists work intensively with guests to find, move in, and adjust to their new homes/communities. After this initial transition (usually 6 to 12 months), contact is limited.Supportive Housing: for clients with specific qualifying conditions, ongoing case management and financial support is provided to ensure they remain stably housed. Case managers are assigned long-term clients and may support them for years in maintaining their housing and wellbeing. LUW has four supportive housing programs - HOPWA, Ryan White, RAP/OMH, and Turning Point.In 2025, LUW housing programs helped 231 individuals secure and maintain housing.SHELTERS: LUW operates two shelters in White Plains that provide a safe place to stay, nutritious food, case management, counseling, and referral services for single men and women experiencing homelessness. Samaritan House is our 17-bed women's shelter; and Open Arms is our 38-bed men's shelter. Both facilities serve as emergency drop-in shelters with capacity for 20 additional adults. In 2025, the shelters provided 575 individuals with 26,645 nights of shelter and approximately 55,000 meals. All shelter guests receive case management support, employment services, and housing placement services.
- $612,670 spent. YOUTH SERVICES: LUW helps young people succeed regardless of their background or circumstances. A suite of educational programming gives students the tools needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve a more secure future. Through our programs, students can overcome learning challenges; improve their core reading, writing, and STEM skills; and receive mentorship from kindergarten through college.KidzLit provides opportunities for elementary and middle school students residing at the Coachman Family Center to receive homework help and participate in fun, collaborative literacy activities that will help narrow reading gaps. After-School Mentoring offers an array of tutoring, enrichment, and college prep activities with the goal of empowering high school students in Yonkers to graduate on time and attend college or other post-secondary training.College & Career Success guides our high school graduates as they navigate post-secondary paths. LUW offers support through College Success Coaches, Job Central Career Specialists, and partial scholarships. Summer Camp provides a recreational and academically enriching summer camp experience for children who are homeless or extremely low-income. Camp is a safe, nurturing place to learn and practice important life skills like swimming but also provides unique experience that fosters both educational and personal growth.In 2025, the program was able to serve 493 youth in our after-school, summer camp, and college success program.
- $526,968 spent. COMMUNITY CENTRAL: LUW has a number of programs designed to engage members of the community who are struggling to meet their basic needs.Graces Kitchen provides free, nutritious breakfast and lunch on weekdays throughout the year; guests are welcome to stay and eat in our dining room or have meals to go. In 2025, Lifting up Westchester served over 55,000 meals including hot meals, to-go meals, and grocery bags.The Charlie Bevier Outreach Team is present at Graces Kitchen and goes out into the community to identify individuals who may be experiencing homelessness but are reluctant to enter a shelter. They seek to build trust and understanding to help individuals access the services they need, including referrals to medical, mental health, and substance abuse resources, and assistance with documentation to access government benefits, housing programs, and job opportunities.Lifting Up Health & Life Skills provides access to wellness, socialization, and creative opportunities that enable guests to receive the physical, mental, and social support they need to thrive. Programs ensure guests have a safe place to engage in meaningful daytime activities.
- $177,337 spent. EMPLOYMENT: Earning a living wage is a critical element to create housing stability and build a foundation for economic security. LUW has two employment programs:Job Central provides access to employment services that strengthen job readiness skills and help clients secure living-wage employment, so they can live independently. Services include resume writing and interview support, job search assistance, access to a career closet, and vocational training. Employment Specialists maintain contact with clients and employers for 6-12 months post-employment to ensure retention. Rehousing in Supportive Environments (RISE) is a partnership between LUW and other agencies to serve clients with domestic violence experience. Clients live in apartments and receive wraparound support consisting of case management, counseling, and employment services. LUW serves as the employment services provider. In 2025, the Organization placed 60 clients into employment opportunities.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 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 October 1982.
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 October 21, 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.