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Better Lives Rhode Island

EIN 22-2672825 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETTER LIVES RHODE ISLAND IS A NON-PROFIT AGENCY WHOSE MISSION IS TO OFFER STABILITY, JUSTICE, AND HOPE TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGH ADVOCACY AND DIRECT SERVICE.

Income
$913,112
Spending
$892,380
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
10
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$72,000, 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: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $179,549 spent. DOWNTOWN FOOD PANTRY - SERVING ALL OF PROVIDENCE, GUESTS CAN ACCESS THE PANTRY TWICE A MONTH AND SHOP FROM THE SHELVES FOR THE FOOD THEY CHOOSE TO EAT ("CLIENT CHOICE"). THE PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PEOPLE MONTHLY.
  2. $554,970 spent. HOMELESS OUTREACH AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM - CLIENT CENTERED WORKING WITH NEWLY AND CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES, PRISONERS UPON RELEASE, THOSE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTIONS AND IN RECOVERY. OUR TEAM OF CASE MANAGERS ARE EXPERIENCED IN ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO HOUSING SUCH AS SUBSTANCE USE, LEGAL ISSUES, LOW-INCOME, POOR CREDIT, ETC. WE PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS ITEMS (A MAILING ADDRESS, CLOTHING, TOILETRIES, PHOTO IDS AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE), HOUSING NAVIGATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES, AND HELP CLIENTS DEVELOP A PLAN FOR SECURING AND MAINTAINING HOUSING THAT IS SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND PERMANENT. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE OFFER IS HOPE AND SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN.
  3. $47,968 spent. FRIDAY NIGHT COMMUNITY MEAL SITE - EVERY FRIDAY EVENING FROM 3:00 - 5:00PM, GUESTS ARE SERVED A NUTRITIOUS SIT-DOWN DINNER. PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED EACH WEEK: HEALTH SCREENINGS, LEGAL CLINICS, SNAP OUTREACH AND MORE. HOMELESS OUTREACH WORKERS ARE ON-SITE TO CONNECT THOSE WHO SO DESIRE WITH SHELTER AND RESOURCES. THE PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 5,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY.

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 April 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.