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Center for Hope and Safety Inc

EIN 22-2184949 · Rochelle Park, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTER FOR HOPE AND SAFETY, INC.'S ("CHS") MISSION IS TO ASSIST BERGEN COUNTY, NJ VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCLUDING EMOTIONAL, ECONOMIC, SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE AGENCY PROVIDES EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND A DIVERSIFIED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES FOCUSED ON SAFETY, EMPOWERMENT, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, CHS RAISES AWARENESS, PROVIDES SERVICES, AND EDUCATES COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
54
Volunteers
149
Highest pay
$168,857, chief executive officer

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER: CORE AND SUPPORT SERVICESCENTER FOR HOPE AND SAFETY, INC. OFFERS THE COMMUNITY A 24-HOUR HOTLINE FOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY OFFERING FOOD AND SHELTER AND SUPPORT THROUGH INDIVIDUAL/GROUP COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, LEGAL ADVOCACY, HOUSING OPTIONS, AND BILINGUAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM HOUSES APPROXIMATELY 150 VICTIMS FOR AN AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THREE MONTHS. SPECIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS CAREER COUNSELING, FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, AND HOUSING COUNSELING; A FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES CONTINUED CASE MANAGEMENT AND A TRUSTING LINK TO HELP FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITIES; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIAISONS WHO CONSULT WITH DCF FAMILIES. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING INCLUDES PROGRAMS TO ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, COLLEGES AND LOCAL AGENCIES.
  2. $1.1 million spent. THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ("TH") PROGRAM SERVES AS AN INTERIM STEP TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR SURVIVORS GRADUATING FROM THE SAFE HOUSE. THE PROGRAM ASSITS WITH PROVIDING SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND AFFORDABLE TEMPORARY HOUSING TO CLIENTS (AND THEIR CHILDREN) WHO ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THE SHLETER BUT COULD BENEFIT FROM CONTINUED TIME AND SUPPORT TO BUILD INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS.FOUR TRANSITIONAL RESIDENCES LOCATED THROUGH BERGEN COUNTY OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP INDEPEDENT LIVING SKILLS AND PURSUE PERSONAL GOALS, OFTEN FOCUSED ON VOCATIONAL, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, AND HOUSING NEEDS. THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TEAM PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR UP TO 2 YEARS AND THEN REFERS THEM TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, IN WHICH THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, AND ECONMIC EMPOWERMENT SERVICES. CLIENTS ALSO HAVE ACESS TO PROJECT CHILD AND LEGAL SERVICES.
  3. $460,972 spent. CHILDREN'S SERVICES:CHILDREN'S SERVICES IS DESIGNED TO STABILIZE A CHILD'S ENVIROMENT AND TO COUNTERACT THE EFFECTS OF ABUSE BY ADDRESSING THE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ANGER, AGGRESSION, SELF-ESTEEM PROBLEMS, AND IMPAIRED SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT THAT RESULT FROM EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE IN THE HOME. IT INCLUDES ACTIVITIES AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT, HOMEWORK SUPPORT; CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH SCHOOL REGISTRATION, DAY CARE, AND TRANSPORTATION; REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES; AND SOCIAL-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.WE OFFER AN ART THERAPY PROGRAM TO HELP CHILDREN WHO COME TO THE SAFE HOUSE EXPERIENCING CHAOTIC CIRCUMSTANCES AS THEY ADJUST TO A NEW ENVIROMENT. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS PROVIDE CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES IN A NON-JUDMENTAL, PRIVATE SETTING, WHERE THE EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCES THAT ARE FUN, TEACH APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS, AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM.

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

  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 June 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 February 1978.

    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.