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Veterans Outreach Center Inc

EIN 16-1137379 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Mission:Our mission is to serve veterans with compassion and advocate for all who have worn our nation's uniform so they can RISE and live life to the fullest. Continued on Schedule O

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
76
Volunteers
495
Highest pay
$187,004, executive director

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

Weak: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 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

    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 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)
  1. $1.4 million spent. Housing: Veterans Outreach Center owns and operates two facilities at The Veterans Outreach Center Gary B. Beikirch Residential Complex. Richards House has a total of 46 beds to serve homeless male veterans, and the Otto's Phoenix House has a total of 7 apartments to serve single woman as well as women with children. In 2025, 118 male veterans were provided shelter in our residential program as well as 8 women and 3 children. Richards House has 46 beds in congregate living for the purposes of emergency or transitional housing. Otto's Phoenix House, which has 7 private apartments for transitional and/or supportive living for single women as well as women with children. Continued on Schedule OHousing: (Continued) Four of the apartments house single women, two of them can house a single woman with two children and one with a single woman and 1 child. Each facility offers case management to help veterans achieve their goals. Following completion of program goals, these veterans are then transitioned into permanent housing. We also continue to operate Liberty Landing, which opened in 2020. It is the first affordable, permanent housing facility with veteran preference in Monroe County, and it includes 10 units set aside specifically for formerly homeless veterans with disabilities. Liberty Landing has 33 apartments with onsite program management by VOC and property management via our development partner, Conifer.This program is also supported by Government grants. Grants received for this program in 2025 totaled $1,073,351.
  2. $633,578 spent. Supportive Services: VOC offered a portfolio of no-cost services available to all veterans and immediate family members. Services provided in 2025 included benefits counseling, temporary financial assistance, housing search assistance, peer mentoring, financial counseling, budget workshops, and legal counseling. VOC supported approximately 30 veterans through Veterans Treatment Court, a program designed to assist justice-involved veterans in avoiding incarceration, building healthy support networks, establishing economic stability, and leading successful lives. Continued on Schedule OSupportive Services: (Continued) Additionally, through a community partnership, 181 veterans participated in Lawyer for a Day, an opportunity hosted at VOC utilizing volunteer attorneys who donate their time and expertise. This service was utilized 245 times in 2025. VOC's dedicated female veterans programming served 267 individual veterans with services focused on the unique experiences and challenges faced during and after military service. VOC also continued providing remote support through web-based technology, assisting veterans both locally and across the country through 382 remote/off-site interactions. In partnership with RTS, VOC continued providing hundreds of free unlimited bus passes to veterans throughout Monroe County and the surrounding areas. Lastly, VOC staff conducted 294 outreach activities throughout the community to raise awareness of available veteran services and resources.This program is supported by Government grants. Grants received for this program in 2025 totaled $417,993.
  3. $708,953 spent. Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs: VOC is dedicated to supporting the overall wellness of the Western New York veteran community while also leading the agency's trauma-informed care efforts through internal modeling, consultation, and training. The Behavioral Health team is led by a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and provides crisis intervention, outreach, suicide prevention support, and both internal and external consultation. In 2025, the team served 696 individual clients through 1,271 total engagements and conducted 678 suicide screenings for 654 veterans. Continued on Schedule OBehavioral Health and Wellness Programs: (Continued) With a strong focus on suicide prevention and awareness, the team also provides regular wellness checks and serves as a critical support resource for both clients and staff. In 2025, VOC's Quartermaster Program served 1,048 veterans through 6,761 service interactions, providing essential daily living supplies such as food, clothing, and hygiene items. Additionally, VOC's Fitness Centerequipped with free weights, ellipticals, treadmills, and other exercise equipmentwas utilized by 153 veterans across 1,815 visits, reinforcing the connection between physical health and overall wellness.A key component of VOC's Wellness Programs is the Morale Center. In 2025, services offered included Peer Support & Substance Use Recovery Groups, Open Art Studio, Art Therapy, Plastic Model Building, Fitness Center Recreation, Massage Therapy, Hydromassage, Free Laundry Facilities, Reiki Therapy, Chess Club, Barber & Salon Services, Socialization Groups, Outdoor Wellness activities, and behavioral health support for both staff and clients on site. Veterans utilized these holistic wellness services a total of 2,160 times throughout the year. Additionally, 53 veterans participated in Outdoor Wellness programming, engaging in these activities 289 times. VOC benefits from strong community engagement, with skilled volunteers playing a vital role in delivering free services to local veterans. In 2025, 42 dedicated VOC volunteers contributed their time throughout the year, supported by an additional 455 volunteers for special events. Together, they logged a total of 6,280 hours of service. This volunteer-driven support is essential to extending the reach and impact of VOC's mission.
  4. $619,664 spent. Career Services: VOC's Career Services provides vocational counseling, skills assessment, occupational skills training, resume preparation and job search assistance. In 2025, VOC's Career Services team assisted in placing 91 veterans in jobs - 61 in full-time positions (40 hours per week) and 29 in part-time positions (<40 hours per week), with an overall average wage of $19.24/hour. VOC's Veterans Community Technology Center (VCTC) had 1,556 visits by 257 unique veterans. VOC provided or funded career-based training to 318 veterans and conducted 238 classes, offering professional development and training opportunities.Flag Store: The store offers a wide selection of flags, accessories, military and patriotic merchandise for sale with any proceeds going to support Veterans Outreach Center's programs and services. The store also serves as a workforce development program by employing veterans to work part-time in the store. Veteran sales associates spend a portion of their week working in the store, and a portion completing professional development trainings on topics like retail management, marketing, inventory management, and more.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 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 March 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 November 4, 2026.

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