Utility Emergency Services Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To provide housing stabilization to individuals and families in crisis by providing utility assistance and other housing stabilization programs.
- Income
- $6.7 million
- Spending
- $6.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 82%
- Employees
- 54
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $169,366, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 105% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (4)
- $585,599 spent. Long-term housing which consists of the following: Oil Assistance Program UESF providers direct assistance for oil to low-income individuals and families who are unable to afford the cost of an oil delivery Philadelphia Works Partnership Since February 2010, UESF has partnered with Philadelphia Works to assist their workforce development clients with utility, rental/mortgages, and security deposit assistance.
- $4.5 million spent. Veterans Program-UESF works with veterans and veteran families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their homes. UESF's range of services helps them acquire the resources to become stable. In 2017, UESG developed the UESF Family Stabilization Program, partnering with the United Way of Philadelphia and South Jersey and the Siemer Institute. The program focuses on families with students in the Philadelphia School District. The goal is to improve a family's long-term housing stability, thereby reducing school mobility for children thus increasing a child's academic success.
- $232,060 spent. Front Door programs which consist of the following: Utility Settlement Program-UESF provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families who are facing utility terminations or who have had their utilities shut off. UESF provides assistance for PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and Philadelphia Water Département (PWD) applicants up to $1,500 per applicant through various grants including The Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Office of Homeless Services and Philadelphia Works, PECO, PGW, and PWD provide contributions to UESF to provide support to UESF to Provide support to UESF to run the program. Water Conservation Housing Stabilization Program Low-income families with high water usages and high bills often get behind on their bills and face having their water turned off. UESF helps water customers facing these problems. Form 990, Part III, Line 4c - Third Accomplishment Front Door programs which consist of the following: Utility Settlement Program UESF provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families who are facing utility terminations or who have had their utilities shut off. UESF provides assistance for PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works ("PGW") and Philadelphia Water Department ("PWD") applicants up to $1,500 per applicant through various grants including The Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Office of Homeless Services and Philadelphia Works. PECO, PGW, and PWD provide contributions to UESF to provide support to UESF to run the program. Water Conservation Housing Stabilization Program Low-income families with high water usage and high bills often get behind on their bills and face having their water turned off. UESF helps water customers facing these problems.
- $624,032 spent. Youth and Family programs which consists of the following Family Stabilization Programs, partnering with the United Way of Philadelphia and South Jersey and the Siemer Institute. The program focuses on families with students in the Philadelphia School District. The goal is to improve a family's long-term housing stability, thereby reducing school mobility for children thus increasing a child's academic success.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.