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Hope and a Home-Inc

EIN 20-2869184 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

HOPE AND A HOME'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN WASHINGTON, DC, TO CREATE STABLE HOMES OF THEIR OWN AND TO MAKE LASTING CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES. WE CAN AND DO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY FOR QUALIFIED FAMILIES THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WE OFFER. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, HOPE AND A HOME HAS HELPED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES ACHIEVE LASTING INDEPENDENCE. OUR COMPREHENSIVE EMPOWERMENT MODEL FOR CREATING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE WITHIN FAMILIES FOCUSES ON FOUR MAIN KEYS FOR CHANGE: 1) AFFORDABLE HOUSING; 2) REWARDING WORK; 3) HIGHER EDUCATION;4) VALUABLE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
6
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$83,167, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 20 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 140% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $794,573 spent. HOUSING PROGRAM:PHASE I TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: HOPE AND A HOME OWNS 19 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS. WE WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS IN FY2025 TO FILL OUR UNIT VACANCIES WITH FAMILIES FROM LOCAL SHELTERS. IN FY2025, WE PROVIDED 21 HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS, WHICH THEY MAY INHABIT FOR UP TO THREE YEARS. DURING THEIR RESIDENCY, FAMILIES SECURE EMPLOYMENT, ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN DAY CARE AND GOOD-PERFORMING SCHOOLS, GAIN HOUSING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS -- WHILE ADDRESSING THEIR PERSONAL BARRIERS TO SUCCESS AND INDEPENDENCE. BY GRADUATION, PARENTS ARE PREPARED TO SECURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING - WHICH SOMETIMES MEANS BECOMING OWNERS OF COOPERATIVES OR OTHER HOUSING.PHASE 2 INDEPENDENT HOUSING: AFTER THREE YEARS IN TRANSITIONAL, HOUSING FAMILIES IN PHASE 2 LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, YET CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PERSONALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS - WHICH CAN RANGE FROM CONTINUING EDUCATION AND CAREER PROSPECTS TO PURCHASING A HOME. PHASE 2 FAMILIES THAT MOVE INTO MARKET-RATE HOUSING RECEIVE UP TO $300/MONTH FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OUT AND $200/MONTH IN THEIR SECOND YEAR.
  2. $340,531 spent. EDUCATION AND JOB READINESS PROGRAMS:EDUCATION:FAMILIES IN BOTH PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRACE DICKERSON HIGHER EDUCATION FOR ALL (GDHEFA). GDHEFA KEEPS THE 137 LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WE CURRENTLY SERVE ON A CLEAR ACADEMIC TRACK FROM PRESCHOOL TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND, WHILE ENROLLING PARENTS IN CAREER-BOOSTING EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL COURSES. STAFF ADVOCATES FOR EACH CHILD TO BE ENROLLED IN GOOD-PERFORMING SCHOOLS, WORK WITH PARENTS TO ESTABLISH AND ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL GOALS FOR THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEP'S) AS NEEDED, AND ARRANGE TUTORING SERVICES. WE ALSO SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PRE-K TO 12TH GRADE, COLLEGE, AND GRADUATE SCHOOL TO ENSURE THEY ACHIEVE POST-SECONDARY GOALS.JOB READINESS: EARNING A LIVING WAGE IS FUNDAMENTAL TO MOVING FAMILIES TO SELF SUFFICIENCY. OUR JOB READINESS PROGRAM WORKS WITH PARENTS AND TEENS TO IMPROVE THEIR JOB READINESS AND INCREASE THEIR EARNING POTENTIAL. IT PROVIDES A SERIES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS THAT PROMOTE SELF DISCOVERY AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT. SESSION TOPICS COVER GOALS SETTING, RESUME PREPARATION, INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES AND BUILDING PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS.
  3. $72,379 spent. FOOD PROGRAM:WE PROVIDED GROCERIES MONTHLY TO 68 FAMILIES DURING FY2025. DELIVERIES WERE COMPRISED OF FRESH HEALTHY FOOD INCLUDING FRUIT, VEGETABLES, MEAT, FISH, BREAD, CEREAL, MILK. THE FOOD WAS PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM WHOLESALE FOOD SUPPLIERS WHO DELIVERED THE FOOD DIRECTLY TO HOPE AND A HOME - AFTER WHICH WE BAGGED IT FOR PICK-UP OR DELIVERY TO OUR FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 August 2005.

    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.