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Family Promise of Essex County Inc

EIN 22-2841105 · Montclair, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1987, FAMILY PROMISE OF ESSEX COUNTY, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION) (FORMERLY KNOWN AS INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK FOR THE HOMELESS OF ESSEX COUNTY, INC.) IS BASED IN MONTCLAIR, NJ. THEMISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO EMPOWER HOMELESS AND HOUSING INSECURE FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE HOUSING STABILITY AND SELF SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SHELTER/HOUSING, COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES, AND VITAL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THROUGH COLLABORATION, EDUCATION, DIRECT SERVICE AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
15
Volunteers
192
Highest pay
$102,953, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 31, 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. $675,966 spent. HOUSING AND STABILIZATION SERVICESIN 2025, FPE'S HOUSING PROGRAMS COLLECTIVELY ENGAGED 514 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 131 CHILDREN; BECAUSE SOME INDIVIDUALS MOVED BETWEEN MORE THAN ONE FPE HOUSING PROGRAM DURING THE YEAR (E.G., FROM A RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INTO A HOUSING SUPPORTS PROGRAM), THIS FIGURE INCLUDES DUPLICATED COUNTS ACROSS HOUSING SUB-PROGRAMS AND IS NOT AN UNDUPLICATED COUNT. AN ADDITIONAL 255 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 99 CHILDREN, PARTICIPATED IN STABILIZATION SERVICES.FPE WALKED ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AS THEY TRANSITIONED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, BUILDING THE SKILLS AND CONNECTIONS NEEDED FOR LASTING INDEPENDENCE. HOUSING ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: 1) FINANCIAL AID IN THE FORM OF SECURITY DEPOSITS, UTILITY DEPOSITS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND MOVE-IN ASSISTANCE; AND 2) PRE-TENANCY CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSIST CONSTITUENTS WITH HOUSING SEARCH, COMPLETING APPLICATIONS AND LEASE AGREEMENTS, AND UNDERSTANDING TENANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. IN ADDITION, FPE PARTNERED WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND OTHER ESSEX COUNTY SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADMINISTER A NJ TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (TBRA) VOUCHER PROGRAM. SPECIFICALLY, FPE CASE MANAGERS PROVIDED OUTREACH, PROGRAM EDUCATION, AND VOUCHER APPLICATION ASSISTANCE FOR 300 SHELTERED AND UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY OF NEWARK. THOSE 300 INDIVIDUALS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL OF 514 ABOVE.ONCE HOUSED, FPE CASE MANAGERS HELPED FAMILIES MAINTAIN HOUSING STABILITY THROUGH BUDGETING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT REPAIR, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND JOB READINESS TRAINING, INCLUDING JOB SEARCH AND INTERVIEWING SKILLS AND WORKPLACE PROTOCOL SEMINARS. FPE ALSO PROVIDED SEMINARS ON LANDLORD/TENANT RELATIONSHIPS AND APARTMENT MAINTENANCE, AND ASSISTANCE WITH CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION. STABILIZATION SERVICES ALSO INCLUDED TAX PREPARATION SERVICES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING FIELD TRIPS, AS WELL AS PARENTING, WELLNESS, AND NUTRITION SUPPORT.
  2. $537,330 spent. PREVENTIONIN 2025, 150 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 74 CHILDREN, RECEIVED PREVENTION ASSISTANCE. FPE INTERVENED EARLY WITH RESOURCES, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP FAMILIES STABILIZE AND PREVENT A HOUSING CRISIS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: 1) PREVENTION ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL AID FOR RENT ARREARS, SECURITY DEPOSITS, UTILITIES, AND OTHER IMMEDIATE EXPENSES TO KEEP FAMILIES HOUSED; AND 2) CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSESS INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, PROVIDE TAILORED ASSISTANCE, AND MEDIATE BETWEEN TENANT AND LANDLORD TO PREVENT EVICTION.
  3. $350,646 spent. EMERGENCY SHELTERIN 2025, 28 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 14 CHILDREN, WERE GIVEN EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. FPE PROVIDED SAFE, WELCOMING EMERGENCY SHELTER WHERE FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOUND IMMEDIATE REFUGE, PRIVACY, AND COMPASSIONATE CARE. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: 1) A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP IN NON-CONGREGATE SETTINGS (HOTELS OR APARTMENTS), ALONG WITH FOOD, CLOTHING, AND TOILETRIES, FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS; AND 2) CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSESS THE FAMILY'S SITUATION, SET CLIENT-CENTERED GOALS FOR HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES, HELP THEM FIND HOUSING, NAVIGATE APPLICATIONS, UNDERSTAND LEASES, AND ASSIST WITH EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, BUDGETING, CREDIT REPAIR, CHILDCARE, LIFE SKILLS, AND TRANSPORTATION.
  4. ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY IMPACTBEYOND ITS CORE PROGRAMS, FPE PROVIDED COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES TO 602 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN 2025 - SEPARATE FROM AND IN ADDITION TO THE 507 INDIVIDUALS SERVED THROUGH FPE'S CORE PROGRAMS ABOVE - INCLUDING REFERRAL INFORMATION, TOILETRY DONATIONS, BACKPACKS, AND OTHER DONATED ITEMS, DISTRIBUTED AT VARIOUS OUTREACH EVENTS SUCH AS PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 1988.

    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.