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Friends of the North Country Inc

EIN 14-1626314 · Cadyville, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED TO ACHIEVE DECENT, SAFE HOUSING.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$153,436, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 March 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 (3)
  1. $124,369 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:RURAL PRESERVATION: FUNDS ARE USED TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP APPLICATIONS TO NYS HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR HOME, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG), ACCESS TO HOME AND THE NYS MANUFACTURED MOBILE HOME REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (MMHR) FOR FUNDS TO REHABILITATE AND REPLACE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS. 3 HUD CDBG (MUNICIPAL) APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED. NEW YORK STATE MANUFACTURED HOME REPLACEMENT (MMHR), NEW YORK STATE ACCESS TO HOME, AND HOME REHABILITATION APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED, ALL WERE AWARDED. PRESERVATIONS FUNDS ARE ALSO USED TO SUPPORT HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE COMMUNITY STABILIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT GOALS CONSISTENT WITH STRATEGIC AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANS IN THE REGION. FUNDS ARE ALSO UTILIZED TO SUPPORT WORK WITH THE CLINTON COUNTY HOUSING COALITION, A GROUP DEDICATED TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY. RURAL PRESERVATION FUNDS PROVIDE, IN PART, FOR EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND BENEFITS, BASIC OPERATIONAL COSTS, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATION OF STAFF.
  2. $145,858 spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:HOUSING ASSISTANCE: STAFF COUNSELED AND/OR ASSISTED 210 CONSUMERS. THIS ACTIVITY SUPPORTS THE DELIVERY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES TO HOME BUYERS, HOMEOWNERS,RENTERS AND THE HOMELESS. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO HELP THEM MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR HOUSING STATUS, TO MEET THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOMEOWNERSIHP AND TENANCY. COUNSELORS HELP BORROWERS AVOID HIGH INTERESTRATE MORTGAGES, UNAFFORDABLE REPAYMENT TERMS,AND OTHER SITUATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF EQUITY, INCREASED DEBT, DEFAULT, AND FORECLOSURE. HOUSING COUNSELORS DISTRIBUTE AND PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR FAIR HOUSING AND FAIR LENDING INFORMATION. COUNSELING IS PROVIDED THROUGH COUNSELOR-TO-CLIENT ASSISTANCE THAT ADDRESSES UNIQUE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND HOUSING ISSUES, AND FOCUSES ON OVERCOMING SPECIFIC OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVE HOUSING GOALS SUCH AS REPAIRING CREDIT, ADDRESSING RENTAL DISPUTES, HOME PURCHASE, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AND RAISING AWARENESS OF CRITICAL HOUSING, TOPICS SUCH AS PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES, FAIR LENDING AND FAIR HOUSING REQUIREMENTS, FINDING UNITS ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PERSONS,AVOIDING FORECLOSURE, OR RESOLVING FINANCIAL CRISES. EDUCATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH FORMAL CLASSES WITH ESTABLISHED CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS - PROVIDED IN A GROUP OR CLASSROOM SETTING, OR OTHER FORMATS APPROVED BY HUD COVERING TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (1) RENTER RIGHT (2) THE HOME BUYING PROCESS (3) HOME MAINTENANCE (4) BUDGETING (5) FAIR HOUSING (6) IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES (7) RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (8) AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CREDIT. THE HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM IS INSTRUMENTAL TO ACHIEVEMENT OF FRIENDS MISSION.
  3. $2.0 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:THE OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ASSISTED 93 HOUSEHOLDS. THE EMPHASIS OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ELIMINATE HOUSING CONDITIONS THAT ARE DETRIMINAL TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PUBLIC WELFARE THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT, DEMOLITION OF DILAPIDATED UNITS, HOUSING REHABILITATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, AND TO PRESERVE LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF UNITS BOTH FOR SAVINGS AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES FEDERAL AND STATE DEFERRED PAYMENT LOANS (GRANTS) TO ELIGIBLE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROVIDE SAFE, DECENT HOUSING, A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, AND EXPANDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES PRIMARILY FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PERSONS IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. LOANS THROUGH THE OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM ARE DEFERRED PAYMENT, NO-INTEREST LOANS THAT ONLY BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE UPON SALE, RENTAL, REFINANCE (SOME), OR TRANSFER OF THE PROPERTY. THE LOAN IS FORGIVEN IF THE OWNER RESIDES IN THE PROPERTY FOR THE SPECIFIED TERM OF THE LOAN (VARIES BY PROGRAM SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS). THERE ARE NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED WITH THE LOANS WHICH ARE SECURED IN MOST PROGRAMS, BY A MORTGAGE ON THE PROPERTY. DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, THERE IS A LONG WAITING LIST FOR THESE SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 March 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 December 1981.

    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.