Grace Smith House Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 22.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 47
- Volunteers
- 34
- Highest pay
- $148,117, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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, 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 (4)
- $902,639 spent. MARY LOU HEISSENBUTTEL RESIDENCETHE MARY LOU HEISSENBUTTEL RESIDENCE (MLHR) IS A 25-BED EMERGENCY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR MINOR CHILDREN WHO NEED SAFETY FROM ABUSE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PATTERN OF MULTIPLE COERCIVE BEHAVIORS USED BY ONE PERSON TO GAIN POWER AND CONTROL OVER ANOTHER IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. THESE REPEATED ACTS MAY BE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, VERBAL, SEXUAL, OR FINANCIAL IN NATURE. THE CRISIS HOTLINE IS ANSWERED BY A TRAINED ADVOCATE 24/7/365 AND FOR FY2024 WE HANDLED 2,554 CALLS FOR HELP WHICH IS AN INCREASE IN CALLS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WE PROVIDED SHELTER FOR 75 ADULTS AND 82 CHILDREN AND TURNED AWAY 499 REQUESTS FOR SHELTER BECAUSE WE WERE AT CAPACITY AND COULD NOT ACCOMMODATE THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY DURING THE YEAR WAS 65 DAYS. OUR SHELTER PROGRAM PROVIDES THREE MEALS DAILY INCLUDING SNACKS AVAILABLE ANYTIME. DURING A SHELTER STAY, ALL NECESSITIES SUCH AS TOILETRIES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, BABY PRODUCTS, EMERGENCY CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CHILD STROLLERS AND CAR SEATS ARE PROVIDED FOR BY OUR PROGRAM. ADULTS ARE ASSIGNED TO A CASE MANAGER WHO HELPS FAMILIES CREATE A SAFETY PLAN, ASSESS RISK FOR LETHALITY, DETERMINE IMMEDIATE AND SHORT-TERM NEEDS AND ASSIST IN NAVIGATING BOTH FAMILY AND CRIMINAL COURT, SOCIAL SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE, MEDICAL SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED FOR VICTIMS USING AGENCY VEHICLES AND CHILDCARE IS OFTEN MADE AVAILABLE. WE PROVIDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELING ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AS WELL AS WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN ADDITION TO CHILDCARE, BOTH CHILDREN AND PARENTS BENEFIT FROM SERVICES PROVIDED BY A YOUTH ADVOCATE INCLUDING PARENTING SUPPORT, SCHOOL ADVOCACY, PLAY GROUPS, HOMEWORK HELP, AND AGE-APPROPRIATE SOCIAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN DURING THEIR SHELTER STAY. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL. THE LOCATION OF THE SHELTER IS CONFIDENTIAL AS WELL. THE LENGTH OF A SHELTER PROGRAM IS 90 DAYS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF TWO 45-DAY EXTENSIONS DEPENDING ON FAMILY NEEDS. THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED STAY IS 180 DAYS.
- $523,747 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAMGRACE SMITH HOUSE HAS AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM. THROUGH OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS WE COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS ON PROJECTS DESIGNED TO INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY, ENHANCE FAMILY WELLBEING AND MAXIMIZE OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. DURING 2024, OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:FAMILY COURT ADVOCACY PROJECT - GRACE SMITH HOUSE COORDINATES WITH DUTCHESS COUNTY FAMILY COURT TO HAVE TWO ADVOCATES PROVIDE ADVOCACY SERVICES TO WALK IN CUSTOMERS WHO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM FAMILY COURT. MANY INDIVIDUALS OFTEN SHOW UP AT FAMILY COURT AFTER AN INCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE THAT HAS THEM TURNING TO COURT FOR PROTECTION AND HELP. GRACE SMITH HOUSE ADVOCATES MEET WITH INDIVIDUALS TO ASSESS FOR THE PRESENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PROVIDE RISK ASSESSMENT, ENGAGE IN SAFETY PLANNING, EDUCATE THE INDIVIDUAL ABOUT VICTIM RIGHTS AND OPTIONS AS WELL AS EXPLAIN HOW THE CIVIL COURT PROCESS WORKS. ADVOCATES ASSIST AND SUPPORT PETITIONERS IN COMPLETING PAPERWORK AND FILING FOR EMERGENCY ORDERS OF PROTECTION. DURING THE YEAR, THIS PROGRAM ASSISTED 955 PETITIONERS TO FILE EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDERS. GRACE SMITH HOUSE ALSO HAS A SEPARATE COURT ADVOCATE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCOMPANYING VICTIMS TO COURT, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE COURT PROCEEDINGS, CONNECTING THEM TO LEGAL SERVICES, AND PROVIDING ADVOCACY AS NEEDED. THIS ADVOCATE WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE EXTENSIVE COURT ADVOCACY SERVICES TO 163 INDIVIDUALS AND ACCOMPANIED CLIENTS TO COURT A TOTAL OF 362 TIMES DURING THE YEAR.CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIAISON PROJECT GRACE SMITH HOUSE HAS TWO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIAISONS EMBEDDED IN THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT IN OUR COUNTY. THESE LIAISONS SERVE AS A KNOWLEDGEABLE RESOURCE TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASEWORKERS REGARDING ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY ALSO PROVIDE ONGOING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES TO THOSE FAMILIES REFERRED FROM THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT. LAST YEAR THESE LIAISONS SERVED 140 FAMILIES AND PROVIDED 137 CONSULTATIONS TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASE WORKERS. IN ADDITION, 14 SEPARATE TRAINING SESSIONS WERE PROVIDED TO CHILD PROTECT SERVICES CASEWORKERS ON RELEVANT ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.COMMUNITY OUTREACH, PREVENTION & EDUCATION PROGRAM GRACE SMITH HOUSE IS DEDICATED TO RAISING THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE EXTENT, TYPE, AND SERIOUSNESS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE. THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, OUR STAFF EDUCATES THE GENERAL COMMUNITY, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY, ASSESS AND SAFELY SCREEN FOR THE PRESENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE IMPACT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS, AS WELL AS OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE AND HOW TO CONNECT THOSE NEEDING OUR SERVICES. IN ADDITION, OUR PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO HAVE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND RECOGNIZE ABUSIVE BEHAVIORS. GRACE SMITH HOUSE EDUCATORS VISIT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS, TRYING TO REACH ALL DISTRICTS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY, WITH PRESENTATIONS. IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS, EDUCATION FOCUSES ON PREVENTION OF BULLYING, WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOLS THE FOCUS IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION WITH TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, DATING VIOLENCE, DIGITAL ABUSE, SAFETY PLANNING, AND SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY. DURING THE YEAR, STAFF ATTENDED 87 COMMUNITY AWARENESS EVENTS AND PROVIDED 245 PRESENTATIONS SUCCESSFULLY EDUCATING 3,339 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 933 ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
- $349,001 spent. BROOKHAVEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSINGBROOKHAVEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COMPRISES OF 14 APARTMENTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM STUDIO APARTMENTS TO THREE BEDROOMS. RESIDENTS MAY STAY IN THE HOUSING PROGRAM FOR UP TO TWO YEARS (24 MONTHS). ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS SECOND STAGE HOUSING PROGRAM IS DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING BEING A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FLEEING AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND IN NEED OF SAFE AND SECURE HOUSING. THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED TO FAMILIES WHO WANT AND NEED A LONGER AMOUNT OF TIME TO WORK ON SAFETY, HEALING AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SPECIFIC GOALS TO STABILIZE LIVES. REFERRALS TO THIS PROGRAM COME FROM VARIOUS SOURCES INCLUDING OUR SHELTER PROGRAM, THE NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM OR BY OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS. WHILE IN THE BROOKHAVEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM, RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH CASE MANAGEMENT, INDIVIDUAL AND/OR GROUP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELING, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CONNECTION TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ADVOCACY, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ALL OTHER AVAILABLE AGENCY SERVICES AS NEEDED. THE BROOKHAVEN PROGRAM IS A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT PROMOTES SAFETY, HEALING FROM TRAUMA, WELL-BEING AND RESILIENCY FOR THE FUTURE. DURING THE YEAR, 18 FAMILIES AND 30 OF THEIR CHILDREN RESIDED IN OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM.
- $339,067 spent. FOLLOW UP PROGRAMTHE GRACE SMITH HOUSE NON-RESIDENTIAL FOLLOW UP PROGRAM PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED AS A FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WHO WERE TRANSITIONING OUT OF OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER, THIS PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF ADVOCACY, COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUP, SAFETY PLANNING, COURT ADVOCACY, ACCOMPANIMENT TO COURT, SOCIAL SERVICES ADVOCACY, RISK ASSESSMENT, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION, AND REFERRAL TO OTHER SERVICES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FOOD PANTRY STOCKED WITH DRY GOODS, TOILETRIES, DIAPERS, BABY ITEMS, CLEANING PRODUCTS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS. THIS PANTRY IS AVAILABLE FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL PARTICIPANTS FREE OF CHARGE (AVAILABILITY OF ITEMS DEPENDS UPON DONATIONS). LIMITED AMOUNTS OF CLOTHING, LINENS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS/FURNITURE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE (DEPENDING ON DONATIONS AND STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS). THIS PROGRAM HAS A BILINGUAL FAMILY ADVOCATE WHO PROVIDED A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN SPANISH. DURING THE YEAR, IN THIS PROGRAM A TOTAL OF 281 CLIENTS RECEIVED SERVICES; ADVOCACY WAS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 4,389 TIMES; AND 116 WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUP SESSIONS WERE HELD. IN ADDITION, 39 CHILDREN OBTAINED 212 SUPPORT SERVICES, AND 67 SUPPORT GROUPS WERE PROVIDED TO THE CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 May 1981.
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.