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Horizons for Homeless Children Inc

EIN 22-2915188 · Roxbury, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HHC'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. HHC PROVIDES HOMELESS CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH THE NURTURING, STIMULATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND PLAY THAT ALL CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN AND GROW IN HEALTHY WAYS.

Income
$23.5 million
Spending
$18.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
23.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
180
Volunteers
730
Highest pay
$471,860, president and ceo

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. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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 (5)
  1. $12.4 million spent. EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS - THE AGENCY OPERATES ONE OF MASSACHUSETTS TOP RANKED EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WHICH STARTS CHILDREN ALONG THE PATH TOWARD SUCCESS AT SCHOOL. THE AGENCY'S EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND TRAUMA THAT CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FACE.
  2. $1.5 million spent. THE PLAYSPACE PROGRAM- THE AGENCY PROVIDES CHILDREN IN SHELTERS PLAY EXPERIENCES THAT LET THEM BE KIDS FOR A FEW HOURS EACH WEEK. THROUGH THE PLAYSPACE PROGRAM, THE AGENCY BUILDS PLAYROOMS, COORDINATE ACTIVITIES AND WORK WITH STAFF IN MORE THAN 52 SHELTERS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS.
  3. $239,954 spent. EVALUATION - THE EVALUATION PROGRAM IS A KEY PROGRAM IN THE AGENCY'S GOAL OF UNDERTAKING A MORE FORMAL PROCESS TO DESIGN, EVALUATE, AND UTILIZE INFORMATION GAINED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE AGENCY'S PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL TO THE AGENCY'S FOCUS ON INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY REGARDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILD AND FAMILY HOMELESSNESS.
  4. $89,386 spent. TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - THROUGH THE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AGENCY STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVE HANDS ON TRAINING THAT IS SPECIFIC TO EARLY EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND REQUIRED TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE REGULATIONS. IN ADDITION, EACH TEACHER IS COACHED, TRAINED, AND MONITORED BY AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD.
  5. $208,754 spent. POLICY AND ADVOCACY - THE AGENCY'S POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORK REPRESENTS A KEY STRATEGY IN THE AGENCY'S MISSION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN MASSACHUSETTS. THROUGH THE LENS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, THE AGENCY ENGAGES WITH LEGISLATORS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS, AS WELL AS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR HOLISTIC APPROACHES THAT INCREASE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE, AS WELL AS STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS.

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 November 1993.

    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.