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A Doorway to Hope

EIN 27-3695408 · Cary, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO ARE AT A CRISIS POINT AND IN NEED OF A HELPING HAND. THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN ACHIEVING ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING RENTAL, UTILITY, AND FURNISHING ASSISTANCE.

Income
$522,540
Spending
$461,201
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
13.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
3
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$86,840, executive director

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $246,013 spent. THE CRISIS MINISTRY PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN NEED, OFFERING ASSISTANCE WITH RENT, FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS, CHILDCARE, AND UTILITIES. RECOGNIZING THAT MANY FAMILIES STRUGGLE TO AFFORD EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS LIKE LAUNDRY DETERGENT, BATH SOAP, AND DEODORANT, THE ORGANIZATION DISTRIBUTES BASKETS FILLED WITH HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES YEAR-ROUND.FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE, THE ORGANIZATION IS A PROUD MEMBER OF WAKE COUNTY'S WESTERN WAKE HUNGER COALITION. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, IT OPERATES A SUMMER FOODS PROGRAM FOUR EVENINGS A WEEK FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST, SERVING MEALS TO RESIDENTS OF THE CHATHAM ESTATES MOBILE HOME PARK. DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT BY DELIVERING PRODUCE BOXES TO CHATHAM ESTATES RESIDENTS FOUR EVENINGS EACH MONTH.
  2. THE ANGEL TREE PROGRAM IS A CHERISHED ANNUAL TRADITION THROUGH WHICH THE ORGANIZATION ADOPTS APPROXIMATELY 100 FAMILIES IN NEED FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THESE FAMILIES ARE REFERRED BY WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, ENSURING SUPPORT REACHES THOSE FACING SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIP.EACH ADOPTED FAMILY RECEIVES:* GIFTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN* A BASKET OF HOPE FILLED WITH HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS* GROCERY GIFT CARDS TO HELP THEM ENJOY A HOLIDAY MEAL TOGETHERTHIS PROGRAM BRINGS JOY, DIGNITY, AND RELIEF TO FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, REFLECTING THE ORGANIZATION'S DEEP COMMITMENT TO COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY CARE.
  3. $91,345 spent. THE OPERATION GIVE PACK PROGRAM CREATES A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION BETWEEN NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT-ATHLETES AND THE ORGANIZATION. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, STUDENT-ATHLETES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT BY PROVIDING VITAL SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. THEIR INVOLVEMENT NOT ONLY STRENGTHENS THE ORGANIZATION'S OUTREACH BUT ALSO FOSTERS A SPIRIT OF SERVICE AND COMPASSION AMONG YOUNG LEADERS.
  4. $6,324 spent. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM EMPOWERS WORKING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING POVERTY WHO ASPIRE TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES AS A PATH TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROVIDE JOB TRAINING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.TO HELP PARTICIPANTS LAUNCH THEIR VENTURES, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS ASSISTANCE WITH STARTUP COSTS AND PROVIDES TWO TO THREE MONTHS OF LIVING EXPENSES DURING THE INITIAL PHASE OF THEIR BUSINESS JOURNEY. THIS SUPPORT HELPS REDUCE FINANCIAL STRESS AND GIVES INDIVIDUALS THE STABILITY THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

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 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 2024.

    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 June 2011.

    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.