Family Promise of Bergen County a New Jersey Non Profit Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTER AND SUPPORT TO WORKING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND A DINNER PROGRAM TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY IN THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $142,820, 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (housing, $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
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 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 (6)
- $746,353 spent. WALK-IN DINNER PROGRAM: SINCE 1991, FAMILY PROMISE HAS BEEN SERVING COMPLETE, NUTRITIOUS, FREE MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IN THE BEGINNING, ALMOST ALL OF THE MEALS WERE PREPARED AND DONATED BY LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP. IN 2008, FAMILY PROMISE VOLUNTEERS BEGAN SERVING MEALS TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY'S SHELTER FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AT THE BERGEN COUNTY HOUSING, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTER IN HACKENSACK. WHEN COVID STRUCK IN 2020, FAMILY PROMISE DELIVERED MEALS TO THE RESIDENTS WHO HAD BEEN MOVED TO MOTELS SO THEY COULD ISOLATE SAFELY. VOLUNTEERS BEGAN DISTRIBUTING ADDITIONAL MEALS TO-GO TO PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY, MANY OF THEM FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, WHO WERE HOUSED BUT HAD LOST WAGES DURING THAT TIME AND WERE FOOD INSECURE. RECOGNIZING THE GROWING NEED, THIS PRACTICE CONTINUED EVEN AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDED AND IS STILL OPERATING TO THIS DAY. AS THE PRICE OF FOOD RISES AND THE SIZE OF CONGREGATIONS SHRINK, FAMILY PROMISE NOW PAYS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF ALL OF THE MEALS. IN 2024, THE FAMILY PROMISE WALK-IN DINNER SERVED 70,124 MEALS TO VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN. RECEIVING FREE MEALS ALLOWS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO SAVE SOME OF THEIR MODEST INCOMES TO PAY THE RENT, MAKING THIS DINNER PROGRAM A HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM AS WELL.
- $165,906 spent. HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM: IT IS MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR CURRENT HOME THAN TO REHOUSE THEM AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN EVICTED. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AS RENTS HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. FAMILY PROMISE PROVIDES FUNDING TO WORKING FAMILIES FOR RENT, RENTAL ARREARS, AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO ALLOW THEM TO REMAIN IN STABLE HOUSING. OFTEN, A SMALL AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE CAN KEEP A FAMILY FROM SPIRALING INTO HOMELESSNESS. FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE MEET WITH CASE MANAGERS AND ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS MAINTAINING STABLE HOUSING. IN 2024, FAMILY PROMISE KEPT 29 FAMILIES - MADE UP OF 79 CHILDREN AND ADULTS - IN STABLE HOUSING FOR AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN $3,200 PER FAMILY IN HOMELESS PREVENTION FUNDING.
- $258,309 spent. NEW LEAF/NEW LIFE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM: HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX SITUATION WITH MANY CAUSES AND UNDERLYING ISSUES. AFTER A THOROUGH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT PERIOD IN THE BRIDGE PROGRAM, CLIENT FAMILIES WHO SHOW PARTICULAR MOTIVATION AND NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO ADDRESS THEIR PERSONAL, FINANCIAL, AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN ONE OF THE APARTMENTS THAT FAMILY PROMISE RENTS AND MANAGES. FAMILY CASE MANAGERS OFFER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AS THEY ASSUME THESE INDEPENDENT LIVING SITUATIONS. FAMILIES MAY REMAIN IN AN APARTMENT FOR UP TO TWO YEARS AS LONG AS THEY ARE WORKING TOWARD THEIR GOALS. FAMILIES IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ABLE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF ALL OF THE SERVICES FAMILY PROMISE OFFERS INCLUDING:- JOB TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR BETTER PAYING JOBS- CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REMOVES COMMON BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT- FINANCIAL EDUCATION IMPROVES MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. WITH THE HELP OF PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL COACHES, FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THEIR PARTICULAR FINANCIAL CHALLENGES.- PARTICIPATION IN A MANDATORY SAVINGS PLAN TO CREATE AN EMERGENCY FUND TO BE ABLE TO FACE UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES ONCE THEY LEAVE THE PROGRAM- PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS HELP FAMILIES INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND GAIN CONFIDENCE. WHEN FAMILIES BECOME EMPOWERED, THEY BEGIN OPERATING FROM A STANDPOINT OF OPTIMISM AND SELF-DETERMINATION AS THEY ADVANCE TOWARD THEIR GOALS. INTERVIEW AND SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, COMMUNICATION AND ASSERTIVENESS, POSITIVE PARENTING, AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ARE EXAMPLES OF TOPICS THAT ARE EXPLORED.
- $173,315 spent. THE BRIDGE PROGRAM - SINCE COVID, WORKING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE HOUSED IN LOCAL EFFICIENCY HOTELS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF HOUSING AND SAFETY. FAMILIES MEET WITH A FAMILY CASE MANAGER AND EXPLORE THE ISSUES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THEM LOSING THEIR HOMES AND TOGETHER, CREATE A PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM. ALL FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND OTHER PROGRAM TO HELP THEM OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. FAMILIES ARE IN THIS PROGRAM FOR ONE TO THREE MONTHS, EVENTUALLY MOVING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, ONE OF OUR TRANSITIONAL APARTMENTS OR INTO OTHER PROGRAMS BETTER SUITED FOR THEIR NEEDS.
- $88,050 spent. CAMP LOTS OF FUN - THIS TWO-WEEK END OF SUMMER CAMP OFFERS CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS A RESPITE FROM THE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH NOT HAVING A PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE. CHILDREN 5 - 12 YEARS OLD ENJOY THE FUN AND ATTENTION OF PAID STAFF AND VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS FROM THE ORGANIZATION'S YOUTH COUNCIL FOR THE HOMELESS AND OTHER TEENS. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT MANY TEENS HAVE TO WORK DURING THE SUMMER, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A STIPEND TO ATTRACT COUNSELORS FROM DIVERSE ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.
- $76,410 spent. ADVOCACY - BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF AND QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY, CONGREGATIONS, CLERGY, BUSINESSES, MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND STUDENTS TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS AND THE CHALLENGES THAT HOMELESS FAMILIES FACE. THE GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO ASSESS POLICIES AND THE IMPACT THEY MIGHT HAVE ON WORKING, POOR FAMILIES.
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 2024.
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 October 1988.
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.
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