Womens Center & Shelter of Greater Pgh
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH IS TO STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL AND EVOLVING NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY INVESTING IN THE GROWTH OF OUR PEOPLE, DEEPENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF ALL SURVIVORS. WE ARE ADVOCATES, GROUNDED IN FOSTERING A COMMUNITY OF SAFETY, HEALING, AND EMPOWERMENT FOR ANYONE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
- Income
- $10.0 million
- Spending
- $8.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 105
- Volunteers
- 350
- Highest pay
- $156,149, president and ceo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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 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 (4)
- $2.4 million spent. WC&S' CONFIDENTIALLY LOCATED, SECURE EMERGENCY SHELTER HOUSED 153 ADULTS AND 141 CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 16,860 NIGHTS IN FY 24-25, SERVING 50,580 MEALS TO RESIDENTS. CORE SERVICES FOR SHELTER RESIDENTS INCLUDE COUNSELING, SAFETY PLANNING, GOAL PLANNING, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSING, FINANCES, CAREER, HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND OTHER NEEDS. WC&S ALSO PROVIDES FOOD, TOILETRIES, CLOTHING, AND OTHER ESSENTIALS SO THAT FAMILIES CAN BEGIN THEIR HEALING JOURNEYS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT MEETING THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
- $1.0 million spent. WC&S' LEGAL ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT (LAD) HELPS SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE NAVIGATE THE COURT SYSTEM BY PROVIDING INFORMATION, RESOURCES, COUNSELING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT FREE OF CHARGE. LAD STAFF MEMBERS MAY GUIDE SURVIVORS THROUGH OBTAINING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS AND ACCOMPANIMENT TO COURT HEARINGS. THESE PROFESSIONALS WORK WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE PROCEDURES AND TO TRAIN POLICE ON IPV ISSUES. IN FY 24-25, THE LAD PROVIDED LEGAL ADVOCACY TO 3,382 ADULT CLIENTS.
- $737,399 spent. WC&S' CIVIL LAW PROJECT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN MATTERS INCLUDING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS, CUSTODY AND CHILD SUPPORT, AND DIVORCE. IN FY 24-25, THE CIVIL LAW PROJECT PROVIDED LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR CLIENTS IN 723 LEGAL MATTERS.
- $3.6 million spent. WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH ACHIEVES ITS MISSION BY OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF ADULT AND CHILD INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS AT EVERY POINT ALONG THEIR JOURNEYS. IN FY 24-25, WC&S PROVIDED LIFESAVING SERVICES SUCH AS SAFETY PLANNING, COUNSELING, EDUCATION, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO 7,106 PEOPLE IMPACTED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, INCLUDING OVER 34,000 HOURS OF COUNSELING. OF THAT, 6,808 SURVIVORS OF DV AND THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVED SERVICES FROM WC&S. THE AGENCY PROVIDED PREVENTION AND BATTERING INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING TO 301 MEN WHO USE ABUSE, 4,043 PROFESSIONALS WERE PROVIDED CONSULTATION OR COACHING, AND 114 CONCERNED FAMILY OR FRIENDS OF SURVIVORS RECEIVED SUPPORT.THE BRIGHT SKY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MOBILE APP AND WEBSITE, WHICH WC&S AND ITS PARTNERS LAUNCHED IN THE UNITED STATES ON MARCH 9, 2023, HAD OVER 43,041 USERS THIS FISCAL YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 177,498 USERS SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2023. A FREE, SAFE, AND EASY-TO-USE APP AND WEBSITE, BRIGHT SKY CONNECTS THOSE IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO PRACTICAL INFORMATION TO EDUCATE, DETECT WARNING SIGNS, AND DELIVER LIFE-SAVING INFORMATION AND FEATURES TO RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHILE OFFERING A SECURE ROUTE FOR SUPPORT. BRIGHT SKY IS PRESENTED IN THE U.S. BY WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH AND VODAFONE AMERICAS FOUNDATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH ASPIRANT, NO MORE, HOPE AFTER HARM, AND DOMESTICSHELTERS.ORG.THROUGH WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER'S PARTICIPATION IN THE DIAGNOSTIC VIBRANT INDEX 6.0, VIBRANT PITTSBURGH HAS ONCE AGAIN DESIGNATED WC&S AS A 2025 VIBRANT CHAMPION FOR UTILIZING BEST PRACTICES ADDRESSING EQUAL DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OUR POLICIES AND WORKPLACE PRACTICES. THE VIBRANT INDEX IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL SNAPSHOT OF THE BEST PRACTICES BEING UTILIZED BY EMPLOYERS IN THE PITTSBURGH REGION. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH:HOTLINE SERVICES: WC&S' HOTLINE STAFF SUPPORTED 3,641 CRISIS CALLERS IN FY 24-25 AND INTERACTED VIA TEXT/CHAT WITH 298 INDIVIDUALS. THEY ASSESS THE SURVIVORS' SAFETY (AND CONTACT EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHEN NEEDED), PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, OFFER COUNSELING AND OTHER RESOURCES, AND WALK THE CALLERS THROUGH CREATING OR UPDATING SAFETY PLANS. INFORMATION AND REFERRALS PROVIDED BY THE STAFF ENABLE CALLERS TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT NEXT STEPS. WHETHER THEIR CHOICE IS TO SEEK EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SHELTER, SAFETY PLANNING, OR ANY OTHER WC&S SERVICES, HOTLINE STAFF HELP TO FACILITATE THESE NEXT STEPS. EMERGENCY SHELTER: WC&S' EMERGENCY SHELTER HOUSED 153 ADULTS AND 141 CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 16,860 NIGHTS IN FY 24-25, SERVING 50,580 MEALS TO RESIDENTS. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDES SAFETY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN IMMEDIATE, LETHAL DANGER. CORE SERVICES FOR SHELTER RESIDENTS INCLUDE SAFETY PLANNING, GOAL PLANNING, AND EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSING, CAREER, HEALTH, AND MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. WC&S PROVIDES FOOD, TOILETRIES, TOWELS, BLANKETS, CLOTHING, AND OTHER ESSENTIALS SO THAT FAMILIES CAN HAVE THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS MET AND CAN BEGIN THEIR JOURNEYS OF HEALING. SURVIVORS STAYING IN THE EMERGENCY SHELTER CAN HAVE THEIR PETS HOUSED IN OUR PET SUITE. THIS ALLOWS FAMILIES TO CARE FOR AND SPEND TIME WITH THEIR ANIMALS WHO CAN OFFER GREAT COMFORT AND OFTEN HAVE ALSO BEEN ABUSED AS PART OF THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM (CAP): IN FY 24-25, 117 CHILDREN RECEIVED 9,581 HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE THROUGH CAP, WHICH OFFERS A SAFE, WELCOMING, AND NURTURING SPACE WHERE CHILD VICTIMS OF IPV CAN HEAL FROM TRAUMA. BEYOND ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS LIKE MEDICAL CARE AND SCHOOL ACCESS, OUR CAP TEAM COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING FUN, EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES TO THE CHILDREN WE SERVE. IMPORTANTLY, CAP ALSO CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER WHILE THEY WORK THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES THEY HAVE FACED. WC&S ALSO HAS A CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES PROGRAM TO SERVE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE CASES INVOLVE BOTH IPV AND CHILD ABUSE.WELLNESS PROGRAM: IN FY 24-25, 272 CLIENTS RECEIVED 2,871 HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE THROUGH SUPPORT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY. SUPPORT GROUPS ARE OFFERED, BOTH IN-PERSON AT WC&S AND VIRTUALLY, FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL IPV SURVIVORS. GROUPS COVER TOPICS LIKE BUILDING LIFE SKILLS, SEEKING SAFETY, RECOGNIZING REPRODUCTIVE COERCION, FOSTERING WELLNESS, MOTHERING, DEVELOPING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, SUBSTANCE USE, AND RECOVERY, AND SURVIVING TRAUMA. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED TO HELP COPE WITH THE EFFECTS OF IPV, WHICH CAN INCLUDE DEPRESSION, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, AND ANXIETY. ECONOMIC IMPACT: WC&S' STANDING FIRM (SF) PROGRAM IS PART OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT DEPARTMENT. THIS PROGRAM DELIVERS TRAINING TO EMPLOYERS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND BEYOND TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) IN THE WORKPLACE AND REFER THOSE AFFECTED BY IPV TO APPROPRIATE LOCAL RESOURCES. INCREASINGLY, STANDING FIRM IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND DEVELOPING TRAINING FOR LARGE COMPANIES WITH MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE U.S. BY EXPANDING WC&S' REACH THROUGH THE EMPLOYER COMMUNITY AND BEYOND SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, SF IS ENHANCING PREVENTION ACTIVITIES AND REACHING A GREATER NUMBER OF CITIZENS IN NEED OF REFERRAL FOR ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY. THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO HOUSES OUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS COORDINATION PROGRAM, WHICH IN FY 24-25, SUPPORTED 550 CLIENTS WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS, SUCH AS SECURITY SYSTEMS, HOUSING, UTILITY COSTS, MOVING COSTS, AND VICTIM COMPENSATION FUNDS.LEGAL ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT (LAD): IN FY 24-25, WC&S PROVIDED LEGAL SUPPORT TO 3,382 ADULT CLIENTS. WC&S' LAD HELPS IPV SURVIVORS NAVIGATE THE COURT SYSTEM BY PROVIDING INFORMATION, RESOURCES, COUNSELING, AND ONGOING SUPPORT FREE OF CHARGE. LAD STAFF MEMBERS GUIDE SURVIVORS THROUGH OBTAINING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE (PFA) ORDERS AND ACC
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 October 1976.
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.
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