Fresh Start Foundation
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
PROVIDE A CLEAN AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHILE RECEIVING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT IN A LICENSED OUTPATIENT, INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT OR PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM.
- Income
- $5.6 million
- Spending
- $5.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 93
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $818,642, treasurer/secretary/cfo
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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 185% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 252 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
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 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 (1)
- $5.0 million spent. FRESH START HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS ARE FOR VETERANS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH A HISTORY OF HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION, AND/OR VARYING DEGREES OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. WE HAVE 6 RECOVERY HOUSES AND 2 VETERANS PROGRAMS IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE OUR RESIDENTS HAVE SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND WE HELP CONNECT THEM WITH RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEIR PHSYCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, INCOME, AND FUTURE HOUISING PLANS. IN FY25: - OUR VETERANS HEALTHCARE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS (HCHV) PROGRAM DISCHARGED 77% OF OUR VETERANS TO PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH WAS 22% HIGHER THAN OUR TARGET GOAL (55%) AND 11% HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF OTHER PROGRAMS (64%). THIS PROGRAM WAS AWARDED A NEW 5-YEAR CONTRACT TO CONTINUE ITS SERVICES UNTIL 9/2030 DUE TO OUR SUCCESS. - OUR VETERANS GRANT AND PER DIEM (GPD) PROGRAM DISCHARGED 69% OF OUR VETERANS TO PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH WAS 4% HIGHER THAN OUR TARGET GOAL (65%). THIS PROGRAM WAS AWARDED A 1-YEAR OPTION AGREEMENT ON ITS CURRENT GRANT TO CONTINUE ITS SERVICES UNTIL 9/2026, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A NEW 3-YEAR GRANT AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON 10/1/2026. - THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE IN OUR RECOVERY HOUSES, WHICH ARE FUNDED BY PHILADELPHIA'S OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES (OAS) TESTED NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL IN 83% OF THEIR LAB TESTS. THESE PROGRAMS WERE AWARDED A NEW 1-YEAR CONTRACT TO CONTINUE ITS SERVICES UNITL 6/30/2026 DUE TO OUR SUCCESS.
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
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 June 2025.
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 February 1997.
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.