Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Chaplains on the Way Inc

EIN 27-3349459 · Waltham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHAPLAINS ON THE WAY (COTW)BELIEVES THAT NO PERSON LIVING IN HOMELESSNESS SHOULD FEEL THEY HAVE TO WALK ALONE, WE LIVE OUT OUR MISSION BY BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONS WITH PEOPLE IN WALTHAM, MA WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESSAND STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES. WE OFFERA MINISTRY OF COMPASSION AND COMPANIONSHIP THROUGH LIFE'S STRUGGLES ANDTRIUMPHS, WELCOMING ALL INTO RELATIONSHIP AND LOVING COMMUNITY.IN WORKING TOWARD OUR VISION, WE EXPAND THE CIRCLE OF CARE FOR THOSE WESERVE BY PROVIDING A BRIDGE TO SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES. WE ALSO ACT ASA BRIDGE WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE AND RAISEAWARENESS BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME INVOLVED AND EXPERIENCEOUR CHAPLAINCY. THIS WORK INSPIRES US TO ADVOCATE FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGEON THE ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE.

Income
$150,307
Spending
$135,460
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Highest pay
$44,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
  1. $80,143 spent. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER SPIRITUAL COMPANIONSHIP TO PEOPLEEXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN WALTHAM, WHEREVER THEY MAYNEED TO BE. IN ADDITION TO A MINISTRY OF PRESENCE, WEOFFER ONE-TO-ONE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION; HOLD WEEKLY INTERFAITH SPIRITUALPRACTICES; AND PROVIDE A BREAKFAST PROGRAM SERVING HOT MEALS FIVE DAYS A WEEK FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH APRIL AND THREE DAYS A WEEK FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER.

Source: Form 990EZ 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.

    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 May 2022.

    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.