Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Womens Prison Association and Home

EIN 13-5596836 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1845, WPA IS THE NATION'S FIRST ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SERVING WOMEN AND GENDER-DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION AND INJUSTICE. ROOTED IN NEW YORK CITY, WPA UTILIZES A GENDER-RESPONSIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED MODEL OF SUPPORT BY PROVIDING JUSTICE-IMPACTED WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES NEEDED TO REMAIN IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, HEAL, AND THRIVE. WPA ULTIMATELY STRIVES TO MAKE INCARCERATION FOR WOMEN OBSOLETE.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$8.0 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
77
Volunteers
33
Highest pay
$179,786, interim ceo (through september 2024)

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: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (6)
  1. $1.8 million spent. SARAH POWELL HUNTINGTON HOUSE (SPHH), FUNDED BY THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES, IS A SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SUPPORTING MOTHERS IN NEW YORK CITY WITH SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. WHEN WOMEN COME TO SPHH, THEY RECEIVE WRAPAROUND CASE MANAGEMENT AND ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS BOTH THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND LONG-TERM GOALS. WPA STAFF HELP RESIDENTS FIND PERMANENT HOUSING, GUIDING THEM TOWARD LONG-TERM STABILITY. THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH EMPOWERS WOMEN TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $1.5 million spent. TRANSITIONAL SERVICES, FUNDED BY NYC MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (MOCJ), PROVIDES SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS IN NYC DOC CUSTODY (RIKER'S ISLAND-RMSC), DOCCS CUSTODY (BEDFORD HILLS AND TACONIC) AND IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE 5 BOROUGHS. WPA PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT UPON RELEASE, WORKING WITH OUR CLIENTS TO SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS. WE MAP OUT THEIR GOALS AND FIND THE RIGHT PATHWAYS FORWARD. ADDITIONALLY, OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAM OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT--WE PROVIDE JOB READINESS, SECTOR SPECIFIC JOB TRAINING, AND PAID TRAINING AND INTERNSHIPS.
  3. $1.0 million spent. THE RISE, FUNDED BY THE NYS OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, PROVIDES IMMEDIATE STABILITY AFTER INCARCERATION AND ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. WPA OFFERS ON-SITE CASE MANAGEMENT AND RE-ENTRY SUPPORT, EMPOWERING RESIDENTS THROUGH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, CLINICAL COUNSELING, FINANCIAL LITERACY HELP, TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, AND MORE. DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE STAFF ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO SET LONG-TERM GOALS AND HELP THEM DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOSTER GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND INDEPENDENCE. THE RISE BENEFITS RESIDENTS BEYOND SECURING A HOME AFTER INCARCERATION--IT PRIORITIZES THE MENTAL WELL-BEING AND HEALTH OF THOSE WHO LIVE THERE.
  4. $833,380 spent. OUR ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION (ATI) PROGRAM, JUSTICEHOME, FUNDED BY THE NYC MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (MOCJ), ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE INDIVIDUALS TO REMAIN AT HOME IN THEIR COMMUNITY RATHER THAN BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR LOVED ONES BY JAIL OR PRISON. JUSTICEHOME PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE WRAPAROUND CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING. WE HELP OUR CLIENTS CONNECT TO HOUSING SUPPORT, CLINICAL COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT, AND MORE. WE ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS IN COURT BEFORE JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS, HELPING THEM REDUCE THEIR CHARGES FROM FELONIES TO MISDEMEANORS, AND IN SOME CASES, HAVING THESE CHARGES COMPLETELY DISMISSED.
  5. $229,194 spent. PRISON BASED SERVICES, FUNDED BY THE AIDS INSTITUTE. WPA TEAM WORKS WITH WOMEN WHO ARE CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AT THE TACONIC OR BEDFORD HILLS CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. WE CONNECT WOMEN WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING HIV/AIDS AND TRANSMISSIBLE DISEASES. WPA STAFF MEET WITH WOMEN ONE-ON-ONE FOR COUNSELING, EDUCATION, AND TO DEVELOP STEP-BY-STEP PLANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING INDIVIDUALIZED HEALTH GOALS. WE ENSURE OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING PREP HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY DURING OR AFTER INCARCERATION. WE PROVIDE COUNSELING AND RUN PEER SUPPORT GROUPS TO REDUCE TRANSMISSION RISK AND ENSURE A CARING AND CONSISTENT SUPPORT SYSTEM.
  6. $302,203 spent. OTHERS

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1935.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.