House of the Good Shepherd
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
MISSION STATEMENT: THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROVIDES CARE THAT CHANGES CHILDREN'S LIVES. VISION STATEMENT: THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD WILL BE THE LEADING PROVIDER OF TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE. WE WILL BE KNOWN FOR PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ARE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND VALUE, DELIVERED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF FAMILY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $43.6 million
- Spending
- $43.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 631
- Volunteers
- 132
- Highest pay
- $365,535, psychiatrist
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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
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 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)
- $27.4 million spent. CHILD CARE & SUPPORT - THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROVIDED FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER FOR JUST UNDER 1000 CHILDREN DURING THE FISCAL YEAR THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS:APPROXIMATELY, 450 CHILDREN FROM ONEIDA, HERKIMER, JEFFERSON, LEWIS, ST. LAWRENCE, AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES (NY) WERE SERVED EACH DAY IN FOSTER FAMILY HOMES. OFFICES IN UTICA AND WATERTOWN COORDINATE REGULAR AND THERAPEUTIC LEVELS OF FOSTER CARE. THESE SERVICES PROVIDE INTENSIVE CARE COORDINATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO CHILDREN FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THEM IN A FAMILY HOME SETTING BIRTH, KINSHIP OR FOSTER BOARDING HOME FAMILIES. YOUTH AND FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE 14 COUNTY CENTRAL NEW YORK AREA ARE PRIORITIZED FOR THIS PROGRAM. TWO CHILDREN'S RESIDENCES, DESIGNATED AS "HARD TO PLACE" CONGREGATE CARE SETTINGS PROVIDE BOYS AND GIRLS, AGES 6 TO 18, LIVING ON-CAMPUS WITH THE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR TO PREPARE THEM TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN. SERVICES INCLUDE A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CARE COORDINATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT, RECREATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, INDEPENDENT LIVING TRAINING, POST DISCHARGE CASE MANAGEMENT AND IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES. THE GROUP EMERGENCY FOSTER CARE RESIDENCE PROVIDES CHILDREN IN CRISIS, AGES 6 TO 11, SHORT-TERM DIAGNOSTIC TREATMENT. DURING THEIR STAY CHILDREN ARE EVALUATED TO IDENTIFY TREATMENT AND PLACEMENT SERVICES NEEDED TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY ISSUES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE RETURN OF CHILDREN TO THEIR FAMILIES OR OTHER PLACEMENTS. UP TO 14 CHILDREN AT A TIME MAY BE SERVED IN THE SCHAFER RESIDENCE, WHICH IS A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY. THIS RESIDENCE SERVES CHILDREN 8 TO 18 AND PROVIDES 24-HOUR NURSING CARE, PSYCHIATRIC, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL WORK AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, RECREATION, AND THERAPEUTIC AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. NON-SECURE DETENTION PROVIDES BOYS AND GIRLS, AGES 12 TO 18, WAITING TO APPEAR IN FAMILY COURT WITH SHORT-TERM HOUSING, SCHOOLING AND SUPPORT SERVICES. PLACEMENT CAN ONLY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A FAMILY COURT REMAND OR BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES MANAGING AN OFF-HOURS AWOL SITUATION. RAISE THE AGE IS A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BOYS, AGES 16 AND 17, WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED BY THE COURT FOR NON-VIOLENT CRIMES, WITH INTERVENTION AND EVIDENCE BASED TREATMENT. THESE BOYS WILL STAY IN OUR RESIDENCE FOR 8 MONTHS WHERE THEY WILL RECEIVE A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CARE COORDINATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT, RECREATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES. YOUTHS WILL RECEIVE POST-DISCHARGE CASE MANAGEMENT.PIVOT IS A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BOYS, AGES 13 15, WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED BY THE COURT FOR NON-VIOLENT CRIMES WITH HIGHLY STRUCTURED DAYS FOCUSING ON EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL EXPLORATION AND LIFE SKILLS. TEENS ARE TASKED WITH TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THEIR ACTIONS AND PROVIDING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DECISIONS. THE RESPITE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES AND FOSTER PARENTS WITH SHORT-TERM, OUT OF HOME SERVICES THAT OFFER TEMPORARY RELIEF WHILE IMPROVING FAMILY COHESIVENESS AND LONG-TERM STABILITY. THE PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY AND SERVES CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8 AND 17, WHO ARE REFERRED BY ONEIDA COUNTY DCFS FOR UP TO 49 DAYS PER YEAR. CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM RECEIVE COMMUNITY BASED CLINICAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THEIR CURRENT EDUCATION PROGRAM. HEALTH HOMES PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 150 YOUTH IN ONEIDA AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES WITH COMPREHENSIVE CARE MANAGEMENT. THIS PROGRAM REFERS CHILDREN TO COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES WITH THE GOAL OF KEEPING THEM MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HEALTHY.
- $4.7 million spent. EDUCATION THE TILTON SCHOOL OFFERS A STRUCTURED, THERAPEUTIC AND SUPPORTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K 12. THE SCHOOL IS CERTIFIED BY THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT AND IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. SMALL CLASSROOMS ALLOW STUDENTS TO RECEIVE MORE INDIVIDUALIZED AND DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. THE SCHOOL SERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
- $4.9 million spent. MEDICAL AND CLINICAL PRIMARY AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD'S RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS. SERVICES INCLUDE WELL CHILD CARE, IMMUNIZATIONS, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS, COORDINATION OF DENTAL SERVICE AND EYE CARE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NUTRITION PROGRAMS. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH 29I, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 593 CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED WITH HEALTH SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE IS INCOME FROM OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES
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 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 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 October 1943.
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.