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The Center for Great Expectations Inc

EIN 22-3560158 · Somerset, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A "SAFE PLACE, SAFE PRESENCE, SAFE PATH" THROUGH A TRAUMA-INFORMED UNCOMPROMISED CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT ASSISTS WOMEN, ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND MEN, IN ADDRESSING CURRENT SUBSTANCE USE AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 33%
Employees
124
Volunteers
317
Highest pay
$223,482, president/ceo

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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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. $2.1 million spent. ADOLESCENT PROGRAM - TRAUMA-INFORMED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER (RTC) INTENSITY OF SERVICE (IOS) FOR HOMELESS, PREGNANT/PARENTING ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN.
  2. $1.6 million spent. DOH START - START PROVIDES FREE TELEHEALTH AND IN-HOME SERVICES FOR PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM PERSONS STRIVING TO OVERCOME USE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES. LICENSED CLINICIANS OFFER COUNSELING TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF MOTHERS IN RECOVERY. CERTIFIED DOULAS PROVIDE BIRTH EDUCATION, SUPPORT AT THE HOSPITAL, AND HONOR THE TRANSITION TO MOTHERHOOD AS A RITE OF PASSAGE. PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS BRING THE EXPERTISE AND PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS RECLAIMED THEIR LIFE AND GAINED FREEDOM THROUGH SOBRIETY.
  3. $1.5 million spent. ADULT PROGRAM - THE ADULT WOMEN'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVES HOMELESS, PREGNANT AND/OR PARENTING WOMEN WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERSAND THEIR CHILDREN UP TO AGE FIVEWHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) AND OTHER TRAUMA AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PLANS AND A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF A MO
  4. $1.9 million spent. OUTPATIENT PROGRAM - THE ROOTS TO RECOVERY OUTPATIENT PROGRAM IS LICENSED BOTH AS A TRAUMA-INFORMED SUBSTANCE USE/CO-OCCURRING OUTPATIENT AND INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROVIDER AND AS A COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER TO CGE CLIENTS AND TO WOMEN AND MEN FROM THE GREATER NEW BRUNSWICK AREA.SUPPORTING HOUSING - SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AT HARBOR GROVE AND THE WOMEN'S INTENSIVE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (WISH) PROGRAMS PROVIDE APARTMENT HOMES AND SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN. TRAINING - THE INSTITUTE AT CGE IS THE PREVENTION, CONSULTATION AND TRAINING DIVISION OF CGE AND THE RESULT OF OVER 20 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRAUMA C.A.R.E.(C) MODEL. THE INSTITUTE CREATES ATTUNED CULTURES AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS AND FOR CLINICAL TEAMS, USING A RANGE OF INNOVATIVE APPROACHES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.