Womens Lunch Place Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WOMEN'S LUNCH PLACE (WLP) INSPIRES HOPE AND SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-SUSTAINING SKILLS FOR WOMEN EXPERIENCING HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, AND POVERTY. WE CREATE A SAFE, WELCOMING DAY SHELTER COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF OUR GUESTS. WE BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED, INTEGRATED SERVICES FOCUSED ON NUTRITION, HEALTH, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. IN THE EFFORT TO ERADICATE HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, AND POVERTY AMONG WOMEN, WLP IS A VISIONARY, COLLABORATIVE LEADER, AND PARTNER IN GREATER BOSTON. WITH A UNIQUE, RELATIONSHIP-DRIVEN SERVICE MODEL, WE PROVIDE WOMEN WITH A PATH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, IMPROVED HEALTH, HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. WOMEN'S LUNCH PLACE IS A LOW-THRESHOLD DAY SHELTER AND ADVOCACY CENTER FOR ANYONE WHO IDENTIFIES AS A WOMAN REGARDLESS OF HER RACE, IMMIGRATION STATUS, RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, OR SOBRIETY. WE HAVE NO INTAKE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY, SO VULNERABLE WOMEN WITH TRAUMA HISTORIES AND SEVERE MENT
- Income
- $10.0 million
- Spending
- $7.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 13.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 57
- Volunteers
- 494
- Highest pay
- $324,009, chief exec. 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
Strong: 96 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% 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: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (4)
- $1.6 million spent. MEALS: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY ARE THE PRIMARY REASONS WOMEN COME TO EAT THE HEARTY, HEALTY, AND DELICIOUS FOOD THAT RELIEVES THEIR PANGS OF HUNGER AND MEETS THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS FOR WOMEN WITH LITTLE OR NO OTHER ACCESS TO GOOD FOOD. EACH DAY STARTS WITH FRESH FRUIT AND HOT CEREAL THAT GIVES WOMEN ENERGY AND DETERMINATION TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES IN OTHER WAYS. LUNCHES ARE SERVED RESTAURANT-STYLE AND ALWAYS INCLUDE A LEAN PROTEIN ENTRE, A VEGETARIAN OPTION, WHOLE GRAINS, VEGETABLES, SALAD, FRUIT, AND DESSERT. MEALS ARE ENJOYED IN A WARM, WELCOMING DINING COMMUNITY WHERE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TAKE TIME TO ENGAGE WITH GUESTS TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
- $1.2 million spent. GUEST SERVICES: ALL SERVICES AND CARE ARE GIVEN IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED MANNER. THE SHELTER IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FROM 7 AM TO 2 PM. WE PROVIDE HOT SHOWERS, LAUNDRY, TOILETRIES AND EMERGENCY CLOTHING, BASIC NEEDS ALL WHILE COORDINATING AND DELIVERING EFFECTIVE SERVICES THAT HELP WOMEN ACHIEVE GREATER STABILITY. FREE ON-SITE MEDICAL CARE IS PROVIDED BY BOSTON HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS. WE OFFER HELATH & WELLNESS WORKSHOPS, GROUP OUTINGS, SUPPORT GROUPS, ART CLASSES, MEDITATION, LITERACY & WRITING CLASSES, AND MUCH MORE TO EMPOWER WOMEN. MONTHLY BIRTHDAY PARTIES & HOLIDAYS ARE CELEBRATED WITH FESTIVE MEALS AND GIFTS.
- $1.9 million spent. ADVOCACY: ADVOCATES MEET INDIVIDUALLY GIVING EXPERT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCES, AND OTHER CRITICAL CONCERNS. WE VISIT WOMEN HOSPITALIZED OR HOMEBOUNT, AND ACCOMPANY WOMEN TO MEDICAL, HOUSING, AND LEGAL APPOINTMNETS. EMERGENCY FUNDS PAY FOR URGENT UTILITY BILLS, BACK RENT, PRESCRIPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION TO APPOINTMENTS, AND MORE. PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS IS A PRIORITY SO WE WORK WITH EVERY WOMAN RECENTLY HOUSED TO LIVE ON A BUDGET, HELP THOSE AT RISK OF EVICTION, OR NEED TO MOVE FROM UNSAFE OR SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, AND THOSE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE. AN ADVOCATE HELPS HOMELESS GUESTS COMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND HANDLE THE COMPLICATED AND LENGTHY PROCESS TO OBTAIN LOW INCOME HOUSING.
- $1.6 million spent. WELLNESS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OFFER GUESTS FREE, ON-SITE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR URGENT AND CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. WE OFFER DUAL RECOVERY PROGRAMMING FOR GUESTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS--AT LEAST ONE RECOVERY CLASS IS AVAILABLE EVERY DAY, SIX DAYS A WEEK. A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN, AND CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST ASSIST OUR GUESTS BY BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS, CONDUCTING SOFT ASSESSMENTS, AND CRAFTING INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS. WLP ALSO PROVIDES REFERRALS AND DIRECT ENTRY TO HOSPITALS AND OUTSIDE PROGRAMS. WLP'S INTEGRATED WELLNESS PROGRAMMING ALSO INCLUDES THERAPEUTIC ART AND MOVEMENT CLASSES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO BOOST OUR GUESTS' MIND-BODY CONNECTION, IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, AND DEVELOP THEIR EMOTIONAL REGULATION.
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
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 June 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 September 1984.
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.