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Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania

EIN 25-1521327 · Brownsville, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES OF SOUTHWESTERN PA IS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY EMPOWERING SURVIVORS, RAISING AWARENESS, AND CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
57
Volunteers
44
Highest pay
$102,276, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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 (5)
  1. $1.4 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER AND 24-HOUR HOTLINE: DVSSP OPERATES TWO EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTERS, BOTH OF WHICH SERVE ONLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FACILITY LOCATED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY HAS A CAPACITY OF 15 BEDS. THE EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FACILITY LOCATED IN FAYETTE COUNTY HAS A CAPACITY OF 14 BEDS. SAFE SHELTER IS PROVIDED IN BOTH SHELTERS AT CONFIDENTIAL LOCATIONS. SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE SAFE HOUSE/SHELTERS INCLUDE: 24-HOUR HOTLINE; 24- HOUR INTAKE AND TRANSPORTATION; INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING; CHILDREN'S PROGRAM; INFORMATION AND REFERRALS; ACCOMPANIMENT; GENERAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY; AND FOOD, CLOTHING, AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS. IN FY 2024/25, A TOTAL OF 2,806 SHELTER NIGHTS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 68 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER. A TOTAL OF 1,959 SHELTER NIGHTS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 59 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE FAYETTE COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER. THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FIELDED 1,126 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS AND THE FAYETTE COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FIELDED 690 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS. IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, A TOTAL OF 3,685.24 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND HOTLINE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING WERE PROVIDED TO 1,228 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, CHILDREN, AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND 785.58 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS. IN FAYETTE COUNTY, A TOTAL OF 1,337.48 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND HOTLINE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING WERE PROVIDED TO 666 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, CHILDREN, AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND 86.03 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS. WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE HIRED A DV/RECOVERY ADVOCATE WHO PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TO INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATING THE INTERCONNECTED CHALLENGES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. EMERGENCY SHELTER AND 24-HOUR HOTLINE: DVSSP OPERATES TWO EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTERS, BOTH OF WHICH SERVE ONLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FACILITY LOCATED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY HAS A CAPACITY OF 15 BEDS. THE EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FACILITY LOCATED IN FAYETTE COUNTY HAS A CAPACITY OF 14 BEDS. SAFE SHELTER IS PROVIDED IN BOTH SHELTERS AT CONFIDENTIAL LOCATIONS. SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE SAFE HOUSE/SHELTERS INCLUDE: 24-HOUR HOTLINE; 24- HOUR INTAKE AND TRANSPORTATION; INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING; CHILDREN'S PROGRAM; INFORMATION AND REFERRALS; ACCOMPANIMENT; GENERAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY; AND FOOD, CLOTHING, AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS. IN FY 2024/25, A TOTAL OF 2,806 SHELTER NIGHTS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 68 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER. A TOTAL OF 1,959 SHELTER NIGHTS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 59 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE FAYETTE COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER. THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FIELDED 1,126 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS AND THE FAYETTE COUNTY SAFE HOUSE/SHELTER FIELDED 690 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS. IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, A TOTAL OF 3,685.24 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND HOTLINE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING WERE PROVIDED TO 1,228 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, CHILDREN, AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND 785.58 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS. IN FAYETTE COUNTY, A TOTAL OF 1,337.48 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND HOTLINE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING WERE PROVIDED TO 666 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, CHILDREN, AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS AND 86.03 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS. WASHINGTON COUNTY SAFE HOUSE HIRED A DV/RECOVERY ADVOCATE WHO PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TO INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATING THE INTERCONNECTED CHALLENGES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
  2. $730,070 spent. PREVENTION AND OUTREACH: THE DVSSP PREVENTION AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TRAININGS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. IN FY 2024/25 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY: 85 EDUCATIONAL/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 4,739 ADULTS, AND 469 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 9,564 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 469 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 9,564 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 6 COMMUNITY/SYSTEMS TRAININGS WERE PROVIDED TO 124 PERSONS, AND 937 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. IN FY 2024/25 IN GREENE COUNTY: 4 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 338 ADULTS, AND 137 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 2,722 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 137 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 2,722 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 114 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. IN FY 2024/25 IN FAYETTE COUNTY: 14 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 641 ADULTS 195 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 3,004 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 195 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 3,004 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 3 COMMUNITY/SYSTEMS TRAININGS WERE PROVIDED TO 36 PERSONS, AND 65 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. REGARDING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN FY 2024/25, 15 WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 484.15 HOURS OF SERVICE, 4 GREENE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 49.92 HOURS OF SERVICE, AND 3 FAYETTE COUNTY VOLUNTEER PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 234 HOURS OF SERVICE. PREVENTION AND OUTREACH: THE DVSSP PREVENTION AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TRAININGS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. IN FY 2024/25 IN WASHINGTON COUNTY: 85 EDUCATIONAL/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 4,739 ADULTS, AND 469 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 9,564 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 469 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 9,564 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 6 COMMUNITY/SYSTEMS TRAININGS WERE PROVIDED TO 124 PERSONS, AND 937 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. IN FY 2024/25 IN GREENE COUNTY: 4 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 338 ADULTS, AND 137 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 2,722 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 137 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 2,722 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 114 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. IN FY 2024/25 IN FAYETTE COUNTY: 14 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 641 ADULTS 195 EDUCATION/AWARENESS PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 3,004 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 195 PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAMS WERE PROVIDED TO 3,004 STUDENTS AND YOUTH. 3 COMMUNITY/SYSTEMS TRAININGS WERE PROVIDED TO 36 PERSONS, AND 65 MEDIA AND EVENTS OF OTHER TYPES WERE COMPLETED. REGARDING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN FY 2024/25, 15 WASHINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 484.15 HOURS OF SERVICE, 4 GREENE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 49.92 HOURS OF SERVICE, AND 3 FAYETTE COUNTY VOLUNTEER PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 234 HOURS OF SERVICE.
  3. $562,252 spent. KEY HOUSING PROGRAM: IN FY 2024/25, PROVIDED REHOUSING FOR 47 ADULTS AND 55 CHILDREN BY SAFELY HOUSING THEM IN 47 APARTMENTS IN WASHINGTON, GREENE, AND FAYETTE COUNTIES. CLIENTS OBTAIN LEASES FOR THEIR OWN HUD INSPECTED APARTMENTS. DVSSP PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, PAYING UP TO 100% OF THEIR RENT, SECURITY DEPOSIT, AND UTILITY DEPOSITS FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS WITH A GOAL OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AT THE END OF THE 12 MONTHS TO PAY THEIR OWN RENT AND MAINTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING.
  4. $344,804 spent. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES OF SOUTHWESTERN PA SATELLITE OFFICE: DVSSP OPERATES A SATELLITE OFFICE IN GREENE COUNTY. SERVICES PROVIDED TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCLUDED: 24-HOUR HOTLINE; TRANSPORTATION TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY OR FAYETTE COUNTY EMERGENCY SHELTER FACILITIES; INFORMATION AND REFERRALS; GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING; ACCOMPANIMENT; AND LEGAL AND GENERAL ADVOCACY. IN FY 2024/25, OUR GREENE COUNTY SITE FIELDED 81 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS. A TOTAL OF 86.11 COUNSELING HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 107 VICTIMS, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, AND CHILDREN. A TOTAL OF 90 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS WERE FILED THROUGH OUR GREENE COUNTY SITE, WHICH ENTERS ALL GREENE COUNTY PFA PETITIONS INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE. LEGAL ADVOCACY: IN ADDITION TO DVSSP LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES OFFERED IN OUR GREENE COUNTY SATELLITE OFFICE, OUR LEGAL ADVOCACY OFFICE IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND FAYETTE COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY OFFICE BOTH PROVIDE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING AND LEGAL ADVOCACY TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS AND ASSISTANCE IN FILING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS. IN FY 2024/25, 652 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS WERE FILED THROUGH OUR WASHINGTON COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM, WHICH ALSO ENTERS ALL WASHINGTON COUNTY PFA PETITIONS INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE. IN FY 2024/25 IN OUR FAYETTE COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM, 604 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS WERE FILED AND ENTERED INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE.
  5. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES OF SOUTHWESTERN PA SATELLITE OFFICE: DVSSP OPERATES A SATELLITE OFFICE IN GREENE COUNTY. SERVICES PROVIDED TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCLUDED: 24-HOUR HOTLINE; TRANSPORTATION TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY OR FAYETTE COUNTY EMERGENCY SHELTER FACILITIES; INFORMATION AND REFERRALS; GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING; ACCOMPANIMENT; AND LEGAL AND GENERAL ADVOCACY. IN FY 2024/25, OUR GREENE COUNTY SITE FIELDED 81 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOTLINE CALLS. A TOTAL OF 86.11 COUNSELING HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 107 VICTIMS, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, AND CHILDREN. A TOTAL OF 90 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS WERE FILED THROUGH OUR GREENE COUNTY SITE, WHICH ENTERS ALL GREENE COUNTY PFA PETITIONS INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE. LEGAL ADVOCACY: IN ADDITION TO DVSSP LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES OFFERED IN OUR GREENE COUNTY SATELLITE OFFICE, OUR LEGAL ADVOCACY OFFICE IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND FAYETTE COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY OFFICE BOTH PROVIDE EMPOWERMENT COUNSELING AND LEGAL ADVOCACY TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS AND ASSISTANCE IN FILING PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS. IN FY 2024/25, 652 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PETITIONS WERE FILED THROUGH OUR WASHINGTON COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM, WHICH ALSO ENTERS ALL WASHINGTON COUNTY PFA PETITIONS INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE. IN FY 2024/25 IN OUR FAYETTE COUNTY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM, 604 PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDERS WERE FILED AND ENTERED INTO THE STATEWIDE PFA DATABASE.

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

  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 June 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 1986.

    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.