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Thea Bowman House Inc

EIN 16-1488620 · Utica, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE THEA BOWMAN HOUSE IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT TO ENABLE CULTURALLY DIVERSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH THEA BOWMAN HOUSE IS BUILT IS AGAPE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
58
Volunteers
34

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $811,688 spent. THEA BOWMAN HOUSE IS A SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY DIVERSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A SAFE, NUTURING ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PROVIDING CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME AND AT RISK CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH: -CHILD CARE LICENSED BY THE NYS OFCS FOR AGES 18 MONTHS THROUGH 12 YEARS. MOST OF THE CARE IS SUBSIDIZED BY THE COUNTY DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES. -A TEEN PROGRAMCALLED BRIDGES FOR YOUTH OVER AGE 12. -BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK AND SUPPPER ARE PROVIDED FOR ENROLLED CHILDREN AND IS FUNDED BY THE NYS DOH CACFP. -TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY CHILD IN OUR PROGRAM IN NEED OF IT.
  2. $1.2 million spent. THEA BOWMAN HOUSE IS A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM THAT PARTNERS WITH THE UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE A UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM ON SITE AT OUR GENESEE STREET LOCATION. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT IS PROVIDED BY THE UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE TWO FULL DAY SESSIONS AND SIX HALF DAY SESSIONS. MEALS ARE PROVIDED THE PRE- KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS THAT INCLUDE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SNACK. THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) THROUGH THE NY STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE MEALS AND OVERSIGHT OF THE NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS.
  3. $68,537 spent. THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM, OPERATING OUT OF THE LAFAYETTE STREET SITE, PROVIDES AN EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY FOR WEST UTICA RESIDENTS AND SECOND HAND CLOTHING, FREE OF CHARGE TO ANYONE IN NEED.
  4. THEA BOWMAN HOUSE PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT IT SERVES. THIS INCLUDES OUR DOVE PROGRAM (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENDED). THEA BOWMAN HOUSE PROVIDE COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND SELF-ESTEEM BUILDING SERVICES FOR THE PARTICIPANTS.
  5. THEA BOWMAN HOUSE PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT IT SERVES. THIS INCLUDES OUR DOVE PROGRAM (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENDED). THEA BOWMAN HOUSE PROVIDE COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND SELF-ESTEEM BUILDING SERVICES FOR THE PARTICIPANTS.

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 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 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 April 1996.

    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.

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