Newark Emergency Service for Families
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOR OVER 45 YEARS, NESF, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, HAS BEEN SERVING THE GREATER ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY. NESF IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH EMERGENCY FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, UTILITIES, RENT, AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES DURING TIMES OF CRISIS. THE HOMELESS, THE WORKING POOR, SENIORS, INDIVIDUALS WITH HIV/AIDS, AND THOSE AFFECTED BY FIRE, EVICTION, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REMAIN OUR PRIMARY FOCUS. WHEN THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN, INDIVIDUALS CAN COME TO NESF. WE ARE A SAFETY NET TO THE COMMUNITY PROVIDING SERVICE WITH COMPASSION, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 76%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $142,939, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2510 of 10 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 2024, 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 (2)
- $1.4 million spent. Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF) provides short-term immediate emergency assistance, as well as long term sustainable solutions, for residents of Essex County who are homeless, unemployed, in crisis and experiencing hardships. The agency provides food, clothing, shelter, workforce development, counseling, social service referrals and financial assistance with housing and utilities. The Weequahic Family Success Center (WFSC) is a community focused center that provides support and resources that help strengthen families in Newark's South Ward. Programs and Services at the WFSC include youth mentoring, grandparents support groups, employment opportunities, male mentoring, parenting classes, family activities and community support.
- $128,583 spent. Homelessness- making the community aware of programs for services provided, monitoring of on-going emergency services available and developing new services.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? 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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1980.
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.