The Refuge
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE REFUGE IS A HUB FOR HEALING COMMUNITY, SOCIAL ACTION, AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION, SERVING THE BROOMFIELD AND NORTH DENVER AREA SINCE 2006.
- Income
- $431,252
- Spending
- $431,669
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $36,360, cofounder
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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- $204,437 spent. THE REFUGE CAFE IS A CORNERSTONE EFFORT OF THE REFUGE, SERVING AS A HOPEFUL HUB FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND WITHOUT SOCIAL SAFETY NETS. OPEN THREE DAYS A WEEK, THE REFUGE CAFE OFFERS FREE LUNCH, SHOWERS, WIFI, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, OUTDOOR GEAR, SOCIAL WORKERS, ON-SITE COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR ACCESSIBLE RESOURCING, CONNECTIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES, AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HEALING COMMUNITY. WE PARTNER WITH MULTIPLE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET TANGIBLE NEEDS IN DIGNIFYING, EQUITABLE WAYS.
- $24,054 spent. SINGLE MOMS UNITE (SMU) IS A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR KIDS CATALYZED BY THE REFUGE SINCE 2013. SMU HOSTS A MONTHLY GATHERING CENTERED ON SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH, RELATIONSHIPS, PARENTING, RESOURCE IN ADDITION TO OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS, COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, AND WAYS FOR MOMS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. OUR SMU COORDINATOR IS A SINGLE MOM AND HOLDS A MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK AND ALSO IS HUBBED AT THE REFUGE CAFE, CONNECTING WITH SINGLE MOMS AND AND GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND WITHOUT SOCIAL SAFETY NETS. A CORE PART OF SMU IS CONNECTING MOMS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
- $19,393 spent. THE REFUGE HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOCUSES ON INCREASING HEALTH EQUITY FOR UNDER-RESOURCED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, PROVIDING HEALTH EDUCATION, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS. IT INCLUDES MONTHLY MOBILE MEDICAL ON SITE, THE REFUGE DENTAL ACCESS PROJECT, HARM REDUCTION, FOOT CARE, AND ON-SITE HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY.
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
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? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
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 December 2007.
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.