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Homeless Childrens Education Fund

EIN 25-1820564 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; SERVING AS A TRUSTED ADVOCATE; SHARING EXPERTISE; FACILITATING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAXIMIZE THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT AMONG COMMUNITY PARTNERS [HOMELESS EDUCATION NETWORK(HEN)].

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
45
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$172,757, chief executive officer

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $257,327 spent. MOBILE LEARNINGHCEF WORKS WITH PARTNERS INCLUDING 27 HOUSING AGENCIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY TO CREATE HOPE THROUGH LEARNING FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH. OUR PROGRAMS REACH CHILDREN FROM PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH YOUNG ADULTHOOD. IN 2024, ALL PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. HCEF CONTINUED TO EXPAND THE MOBILE LEARNING PROGRAM WHICH AIMS TO BRING TUTORING SERVICES TO MEET FAMILIES WHERE THEY ARE. THE MOBILE LEARNING PROGRAM MEETS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS LEARN AND GROW WITH HIGH QUALITY, MOBILE TUTORS THAT VISIT STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE IN THE COMMUNITY. INSTRUCTORS AND VOLUNTEERS TRAVEL TO BRING TUTORING TO STUDENTS' HOMES, LIBRARIES, PARKS, OR OTHER LOCATIONS CONVENIENT FOR FAMILIES. DURING THE SESSIONS, TUTORS BRING ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES, BOOKS, AND SUPPLIES DURING THEIR VISITS. THE PROGRAM WAS PILOTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 AND HAS CONTINUED TO GROW.
  2. $204,303 spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTPROVIDES HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS, WORKFORCE READINESS SKILLS, AND ESSENTIAL SUPPORT. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A LIVABLE WAGE FOR THEIR TIME IN CLASS AND AT THEIR PLACEMENT SITE, ALONG WITH ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE.
  3. $182,396 spent. HOMELESS SHELTER LEARNING CENTERS ARE BUILT JUST FOR KIDS AND EQUIPPED WITH TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. THESE CENTERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH BOOKS, GAMES AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS IN ADDITION TO POSTERS AND PROMPTS THAT FOSTER EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. WE EQUIP AND REFRESH THESE SPACES, AS NEEDED, TO KEEP THEM AT PEAK QUALITY FOR OUR YOUTH. BUILDING BLOCKS FOR SUCCESS AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING IS DELIVERED TO CHILDREN LIVING IN HOMELESS SHELTERS AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCES. WITH OUR INSTRUCTORS, LITERACY SPECIALIST AND INTERN TEAMS, WE FORGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS THAT ENABLE TRUST AND LEARNING. A QUALITY INSTRUCTOR AT EACH SITE IS ASSISTED BY A LITERACY SPECIALIST (WHO SHARES TIME BETWEEN ALL SITES) AND 2-3 COLLEGE INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS. HCEF CONDUCTED GROUP ZOOM SESSIONS AND GOT TO KNOW EACH FAMILY INDIVIDUALLY (THE YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS) DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE FOCUS ON OUTCOMES IN THREE AREAS: LEARNING STRATEGIES AND ENGAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS BRING CREATIVE, HANDS-ON STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH) EXPERIENCES TO ENHANCE LEARNING. THE OBJECTIVES OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE TO EXPAND A CHILD'S WORLD, INTEGRATE THEM INTO LARGE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR "PRIOR KNOWLEDGE."

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 July 1999.

    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.