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Just a Start Inc

EIN 23-7121174 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE EQUITY BY CREATING ACCESS TO STABLE HOUSING AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

Income
$10.3 million
Spending
$12.8 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 39%
Employees
74
Volunteers
99
Highest pay
$205,735, executive director

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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, 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 (3)
  1. $6.0 million spent. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT - JUST A START HAS DEVELOPED AND CONTINUES TO OWN AND OPERATE 645 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS THROUGHOUT CAMBRIDGE AND SOMERVILLE, HOUSING APPROXIMATELY 1,500 PEOPLE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD APARTMENTS IN THESE EXPENSIVE AND HIGH-OPPORTUNITY CITIES. WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 350 NEW AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS IN OUR DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE, WHICH WE EXPECT TO DEVELOP IN THE COMING 5-6 YEARS. TO MAKE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP A REALITY FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH MODERATE INCOMES, JUST A START HAS ALSO DEVELOPED 130 HOMEOWNERSHIP UNITS. WE ALSO MANAGE THE PRESERVATION, REHAB AND RESALE OF AFFORDABLE UNITS TO ENSURE FUTURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CONDOMINIUMS IN CAMBRIDGE FOR RESIDENTS WITH MODERATE INCOMES.
  2. $2.8 million spent. EDUCATION AND TRAINING - JUST A START'S EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS PROVIDE TUITION-FREE PATHWAYS TO CAREERS IN THE REGION'S GROWING EMPLOYMENT SECTORS. OUR ADULT CAREER TRAINING PROGRAM IS AN INTENSIVE, NINE-MONTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH LOW INCOMES TO DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS NEEDED TO ENTER FAMILY-SUSTAINING AND FULFILLING CAREERS IN THE GROWING BIOMEDICAL AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FIELDS. APPROXIMATELY 85% OF GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM GAIN EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 6-12 MONTHS OF GRADUATION AND INCREASE THEIR ANNUAL INCOME BY AN AVERAGE OF $20,000. ANOTHER PILLAR OF JUST A START'S EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS IS YOUTHBUILD, WHICH ANNUALLY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 50 OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 24. STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT LEADS TO A HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIAL, CONSTRUCTION OR RETAIL INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS, CAREER EXPLORATION, AND EMPLOYMENT.
  3. $1.7 million spent. HOUSING RESOURCES AND SERVICES - JUST A START PROVIDES HOUSING RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO ITS 1,500 RESIDENTS AND APPROXIMATELY 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR. THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, MEDIATION, AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES, OUR HOUSING STABILIZATION PROGRAM ALLOWS FAMILIES THREATENED WITH HOMELESSNESS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES OR HELPS THEM FIND NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING. OUR ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMS PROVIDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION, ONE-ON-ONE COACHING, AND FREE TAX SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES SEEKING TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS AND PROSPECTS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 May 1971.

    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.