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Bethesda House of Schenectady Inc

EIN 31-1645415 · Schenectady, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE AN INTERFAITH MINISTRY TO THE HOMELESS, DISABLED AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED CITIZENS OF SCHENECTADY COUNTY, BUILDING A JUST, HOSPITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY ONE PERSON AT A TIME BY AFFIRMING THE DIGNITY AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF EACH GUEST ENTERING THIS HOUSE OF MERCY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE A HOSPITALITY CENTER, EMERGENCY/CRISIS ASSISTANCE, HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT, REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUP,THE LIGHTHOUSE, AND LIBERTY APARTMENTS. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ARE SOCIAL WORK, MEDICAL CARE, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER, AND HEALTH HOME.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-20.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
50
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$163,222, executive director

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 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 (4)
  1. $2.2 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICESBETHESDA HOUSE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 2002 WITH THE OPENING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE PROGRAM. CURRENTLY, THE AGENCY HAS 57 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BEDS FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS SINGLE ADULTS AND 3 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING BEDS FOR VETERANS. THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS ADULTS HAVE A HISTORY OF UNTREATED SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER DISABLING CONDITIONS. WE PROVIDE ADVOCACY, HOUSING, AND A SAFETY NET FOR OUR RESIDENTS. STAFF WORK DILIGENTLY WITH RESIDENTS TO OVERCOME LIFE CHALLENGES AND TO HELP PROVIDE A SAFE, COMFORTABLE, AND WELCOMING HOME FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY AND FIND SOLACE. 64 PEOPLE WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR.
  2. $425,286 spent. SOCIAL WORK SERVICES BETHESDA HOUSE'S SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE AGENCY'S GUESTS AND RESIDENTS, PROCESSES INTAKES, COMPLETES MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, AND INITIATES REFERRALS TO AREA MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. LONG-TERM COUNSELING AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE. BETHESDA HOUSE HAS IMPLEMENTED TWO SEPARATE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE REDUCTION OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT UTILIZATION AND INTEGRATION OF PRIMARY CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE SOCIAL WORK TEAM COLLABORATES WITH THE STAFF IN THE MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM, PNP, AND THE HEALTH HOME PROGRAMS TO FURTHER STABILIZE CLIENTS WHICH INCLUDES ENGAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO MEDICAL AND MH SERVICES. THE STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAILY EFFORTS TO GOING INTO THE COMMUNITY TO SEEK AND CONNECT WITH HOMELESS AND DISENFRANCHISED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN NEED OF BASIC LIVING RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. 1381 PEOPLE WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR.
  3. $964,695 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICESTHE CASE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS AND TO THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS. THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM PROVIDES EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ASSIST HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH EMERGENCY SHELTER PLACEMENT. GUESTS CAN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF TO OBTAIN STEADY INCOME AND PERMANENT HOUSING (SUBSIDIZED OR PROGRAMMATIC HOUSING) OR TO OBTAIN PLACEMENT IN DRUG/ALCOHOL REHABILITATION. HOUSING CASE MANAGERS' PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, EMERGENCY SHELTER REFERRALS, RAPID RE-HOUSING PLACEMENT, AND SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING. 184 PEOPLE WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR.
  4. $171,889 spent. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 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 November 4, 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.