Open Hearth Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OPEN HEARTH, INC., A LEADER IN RESOURCE COORDINATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS, PROVIDES INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS, ACQUIRE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES, AND ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 64%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 42
- Highest pay
- $166,657, ceo
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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (4)
- $2.2 million spent. Housing Programs: Open Hearth administered permanent housing subsidies for 80 individuals and families who experienced homelessness and live with a documented disability through the Continuum of Care Permanent Supportive Housing (CoC PSH) Program. In addition, the Housing Contingency Fund (HCF) Program provided housing start-up costs, emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction or utility shut-off, and hotel respite for adults experiencing homelessness who have a serious and persistent mental illness. In 2024, 88 households received HCF assistance.
- $567,643 spent. Financial Management Programs: Open Hearths Family Savings Partner (FSP) Program is a financial empowerment initiative designed to help individuals and families build long-term stability through asset development. The program provides a matched savings opportunity to support major financial goals such as purchasing a vehicle, pursuing post-secondary education, or buying a first home. In 2024, 84 households participated in FSP, with 29 successfully purchasing their desired asset.Throughout the program, FSP staff provide individualized support through regular progress updates, resource referrals, and goal-oriented financial guidance. Additionally, FSP includes a public financial education component. In 2024, 24 workshops were delivered on topics such as budgeting, credit repair, homeownership, college financing, and the car-buying process. A total of 149 individuals attended, of whom 87 were unduplicated.Financial Navigation Services provide personalized financial coaching to individuals aiming to increase income, reduce debt, and build savings. Financial Navigators assist clients in setting financial goals, developing spending plans, and accessing community resources. In 2024, 280 individuals were served: 73 new full-service clients, 120 brief-service clients, and 87 full-service clients carried over from the previous year.
- $134,654 spent. Housing Programs: The Organization is deeply committed to strengthening the community and addressing the evolving needs of the individuals it serves. Open Hearth plays a leading role in advancing affordable housing, financial empowerment, and overall quality of life in Chester County. For example, the CEO serves on the governance board of the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, while additional staff actively contribute to a range of local initiatives, including the Phoenixville Affordable Housing Council, Phoenixville Hospital Community Benefit Committee, the Housing Authority of Chester Countys Family Self-Sufficiency Committee, Phoenixville School Districts HUB, and the Chester County Reentry Coalition.In addition, Open Hearth founded and continues to facilitate the Phoenixville Area Resource Network (PARN), a monthly drop-in meeting that brings together staff from over 100 local social service agencies each year.The Targeted Homelessness Resource Coordination (THRC) Program, established in January 2020, remains a critical component of Chester Countys strategy to end homelessness. Aligned with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) best practices, the THRC manages the countys by-name list in coordination with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Data Lead and facilitates a coordinated, community-wide effort to prioritize and house individuals. This is accomplished through the facilitation of biweekly case conferencing meetings with cross-system providers. In 2024, 489 households were case conferenced.
- $16,849 spent. Transportation Program: Open Hearth supports transportation access through two primary strategies. Under the Family Savings Partner Program, participants may apply their matched savings toward the purchase of a reliable vehicle. In 2024, 18 of the 84 enrolled FSP households were saving for a vehicle, and 9 completed a purchase.In October 2024, Open Hearth launched JumpStart, a zero-interest loan program for essential car repairs. The program helps participants maintain safe, reliable transportation to access work, education, and vital services. In its inaugural quarter, three participants enrolled, and one loan was issued.Finally, one FSP participant received an in-kind donation of a vehicle during the year.
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 July 1991.
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.
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.