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Working in Neighborhoods

EIN 31-0962007 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH COMMUNITY BUILDING, HOME OWNERSHIP, AND ECONOMIC LEARNING.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
20
Volunteers
260
Highest pay
$124,571, 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

Fair: 69 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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.

  • 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. $291,607 spent. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) revitalizes and brings stability to neighborhoods and communities through construction and rehabilitation of energy efficient homes for first-time homebuyers. WIN provides families with homeownership opportunities and strengthens neighborhoods through homeownership. Since this program began, WIN has built or renovated over 170 homes and sold them to first-time homebuyers. WINs efforts have increased home values in targeted areas by as much as 25%. In 2024, 1 rehab and 2 new homes construction 6 homes were in predevelopment. 24 legacy homeowners recevied essential home repairs.
  2. $569,431 spent. HOUSING COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY - WIN provides counseling and education services related to homeownership and financial capability. WIN prepares families to purchase, maintain, and protect their investment in their homes by offering Homebuyer Classes and individual Housing Counseling and Foreclosure/Delinquency Prevention Housing Counseling. WIN offers Financial Stability Workshops that teach people how to be financially responsible, reduce debt and expenses, and develop an emergency savings plan. In 2024, 239 people participated in Homebuyer Classes, 384 received Financial Education, and 184 individuals received one-on-one pre and post-purchase housing counseling services 91 families were assised in applying for lead elimination grants through Lead Safe Hamilton County.
  3. $382,300 spent. COMMUNITY BUILDING WIN helps neighborhood residents gain awareness and understanding of people, resources, and processes to enable them to network together to develop a common vision for their community and affect positive change. WIN also works with residents in the community to implement community improvement projects. In 2024, WIN completed a housing study identifying opportunities for improving housing stock in the Beekman Corridor (BC). It will guide efforts to rehab homes for legacy homeowners and pinpoint areas where new housing will be most beneficial. Interviewed all BC businesses gaining insights into their needs and future plans. 447 residents participated in community building efforts. WIN lead 6 community cleanups, established 2 new community gardens, and organized 12 Pop-up events distributing food to 144 families (over 30.3 tons of food). The Beekman Community Market elected a board, hosted 11 markets (average attendence 50), supported 27 micro-businesses. WIN provided Summer Enrichment Programs, as well as three youth holiday events through-out the year for local children. In 2024, 362 youth participated in WINs Summer Camp and/or WINs Youth Holiday activities.

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 August 1979.

    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.