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Compass House

EIN 23-7363167 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SAFE SHELTER AND SERVICES FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH IN AN ATMOSPHERE SUPPORTING THE DIGNITY, RESPECT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF EACH YOUTH.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
51
Volunteers
235
Highest pay
$83,205, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 25

    19 of 19 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, 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 (3)
  1. $939,178 spent. WE PROVIDE SHELTER AND SERVICES TO BOTH MALE AND FEMALE YOUTH AGES 12-17. IT IS A 13 BED SHELTER AND EACH RESIDENT IS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER TO WORK ON THEIR CASE WITH THEM. THE SHELTER IS FREE AND VOLUNTARY AND IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK. OUR SAFE PLACE PROGRAM ENABLES YOUTH TO ACCESS SERVICES THROUGHOUT ERIE COUNTY AT ALL TOPS MARKETS AS WELL AS ANY NFTA BUSES. THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS SERVED WAS 241.
  2. $860,198 spent. OUR RESOURCE CENTER PROVIDES SERVICES TO YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS. OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY, WE SERVE BOTH MALE AND FEMALE YOUTH AGES 16-24. WE PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRAL, ADVOCACY, CRISIS, INDIVIDUAL, GROUP & FAMILY COUNSELING, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS POSITIVE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS SERVED WAS 131.
  3. $278,912 spent. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS AN INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FOR MALES AND FEMALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING THEM SELF SUFFICIENT. CLIENTS IN THIS PROGRAM MAY STAY UP TO 18 MONTHS WHERE WE WILL PROVIDE: FINANCIAL LITERACY, GET THE CLIENTS JOBS, TEACH INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND MEET THEIR NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.