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Lynn Shelter Association Inc

EIN 22-2603594 · Lynn, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LYNN SHELTER ASSOCIATION (LSA) BELIEVES EVERY PERSON DESERVES A PLACE TO CALL HOME. LSA'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TO DEFINE AND PURSUE THEIR GOALS FOR INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND OFFERS SHELTER, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, HOUSINGS SOLUTIONS, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND ACCESS TO A CONTINUUM OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTS TO MORE THAN 800 HOMELESS AND FORMERLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EACH YEAR.

Income
$9.2 million
Spending
$9.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 75%
Employees
95
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$261,740, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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 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. $4.5 million spent. FAMILY SHELTER PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS MADE UP OF 4 CONGREGATE SHELTERS LOCATED IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN LYNN MASSACHUSETTS. THE SHELTERS PROVIDE 92 SHELTER UNITS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SHELTER, SUPPORT AND FOOD TO HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. IT ALSO PROVIDES ON-SITE CASE MANAGEMENT, TRAINING FOR PARENTING SKILLS, FINANCIAL SKILLS, HOUSING SEARCH, JOB SEARCH, AND BENEFIT MAXIMIZATION. THE PROGRAM ALSO ENSURES THE PARTICIPANTS ARE REGISTERED WITH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ARRIVAL. FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DHCD) AND THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (DPH). THIS PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 123 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR.
  2. $967,042 spent. ADULT SHELTER PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE LYNN EMERGENCY SHELTER AND IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN LYNN MASSACHUSETTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SERVICES TO HOMELESS ADULTS. THE SHELTER IS A HOUSING FIRST MODEL SHELTER THAT PROMOTES SELF-SUFFICIENCY. FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DHCD). THIS PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 142 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR.
  3. $959,536 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES WORKSHOPS, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND REFERRALS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO PARTICIPANTS IN PERMANENT HOUSING UNITS. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES. THIS PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 97 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR.
  4. $496,932 spent. PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES HOUSING UNITS AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO CHRONICALLY AND DISABLED HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND VETERANS THROUGH SPONSOR BASED AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY A HUD CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM GRANT ADMINISTERED BY LYNN HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT (LHAND) AND BRIDGEWELL INC. THIS PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 84 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR.

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 March 1986.

    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.