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Harbor House Ministries Inc

EIN 23-7133986 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Harbor House is a Christian community development organization that provides a safe place for opportunities, resources, and relationships to be shared so that all families in Oakland can flourish. Since 1972, Harbor House has faithfully served thousands of families through high quality programs that nurture the heart, soul, mind and body. We offer after-school tutoring and enrichment, summer day camp, leadership development, food and clothing distribution, and spiritual formation opportunities.Harbor House was founded by Olive Freeman, a fourth grade teacher in Oakland who noticed that some of her students lacked basic necessities. Compelled by her faith, Olive responded by gathering food, clothing, and books and handing them out from the trunk of her car. What started out as one woman responding to needs in the community, is now a multi-faceted community development organization offering hope to hundreds of families each year. HARBOR HOUSE IS LOCATED IN THE SAN ANTONIO DISTRICT OF OAK

Income
$909,670
Spending
$775,946
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
13
Volunteers
114
Highest pay
$102,714, exec 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (6)
  1. $599,477 spent. After-school Enrichment Program (September May)IN THE AFTERNOONS, WE WARMLY OPEN OUR DOORS TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR OUR HIGH QUALITY AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM. AT HARBOR HOUSE, THEY ARE SERVED A NUTRICIOUS SUPPER AND OFFERED A QUIET AND SAFE PLACE TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK, PARTICIPATE IN HIGH QUALITY ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES (ART, CHOIR, COOKING, SOCCER, AND MORE), PLAY OUTDOOR GAMES, AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CARING MENTORS. TEENS FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVE AS INTERNS RUNNING THE ELEMENTARY PROGRAM, WHILE LEARNING VALUABLE LEADERSHIP SKILLS. [Continued on Schedule O]
  2. Youth Internship ProgramOur after-school program is solidly rooted in the principles of youth development which state that youth do best when they are safe, have opportunities to develop positive relationships with peers and adults, have opportunities for involvement that utilize their inherent gifts, and have access to enriching activities that expand their horizons. At Harbor House, teens who are part of our Youth Leadership Program (YLP) have opportunities to experience all of these and more. [Continued on Schedule O]
  3. EMERGENCY FOOD AND CLOTHINGIN COLLABORATION WITH THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FOOD BANK, HARBOR HOUSE SERVES AS AN EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE ON TUESDAY MORNINGS AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS. THE EMERGENCY FOOD BOX PROGRAM OFFERS A THREE-DAY SUPPLY OF FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO ANYONE IN NEED. WE ALSO OFFER A CHILDREN'S CLOTHING THRIFT STORE FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY NEEDING CLOTHES.
  4. [Continued from Form 990 Page 2]Summer Day Camp (June July)Our summer day camp runs Monday through Friday for five weeks in the summertime, offering elementary students a safe, fun, and enriching place to be. Each summer has a different theme that sets the stage for the camp. Day campers are treated to skits, Bible stories, songs, crafts, and memory verse to reinforce the themes. They also take special field trips each Friday which help them to get out of their neighborhood and experience a bit of adventure.
  5. Youth Internship Program [Continued from Form 990 Page 2]Through YLP, we aim to develop thriving and competent teens who are growing into their potential and becoming agents of change in their community. We recognize that many teens in our community need a safe place where they can feel valued and cared for while gaining valuable life skills, receive academic encouragement, and develop positive relationships. YLP provides that to local high school students looking for a linked learning opportunity in the field of education.
  6. Other ProgramsTutor the TigersTUTOR THE TIGERS PROVIDES A ONE-ON-ONE VOLUNTEER TUTOR TO STRUGGLING READERS AT FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EVERY AFTERNOON ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS.Holiday ProgramsHARBOR HOUSE OFFERS SEVERAL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS SO THAT LOW-INCOME FAMILIEs CAN ALSO CELEBRATE AND EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH AND CHEER OF THE SEASON. DURING THE WEEKS OF THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS, HARBOR HOUSE OFFERS FAMILIES FOOD FOR A FULL HOLIDAY DINNER. THE HARBOR HOUSE CHRISTMAS STORE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME PARENTS TO PURCHASE, WRAP, AND TAKE HOME NEW TOYS AND GIFTS TO THE CHILDREN AT A GREATLY REDUCED PRICE.

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 February 1972.

    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.