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Passes our checks

Stephen Center Inc

EIN 36-3363994 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STEPHEN CENTER PARTNERS WITH INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY TO OVERCOME HOMELESSNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
21 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
145
Volunteers
282
Highest pay
$134,224, employee

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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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. $1.7 million spent. EMERGENCY SHELTER: PETTIGREW EMERGENCY SHELTER IS A SUBSTANCE-FREE FACILITY FEATURING A MEN'S DORM, WOMEN'S DORM, AND FAMILY SHELTER UNITS. MEALS ARE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS THREE TIMES PER DAY, SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK. WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ARRIVAL, EVERY SHELTER CLIENT IS REQUIRED TO MEET WITH A CASE MANAGER TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR SUCCESS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND EMERGE FROM HOMELESSNESS.
  2. $1.9 million spent. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT: STEPHEN CENTER'S HERO PROGRAM PROVIDES SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR LOW-INCOME AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. MULTIPLE LEVELS OF CARE INCLUDE, LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE, SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE, NON-RESIDENTIAL INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, NON-RESIDENTIAL OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING APARTMENTS PROVIDE HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MOVING FROM HOMELESSNESS TO INDEPENDENT, SUPPORTIVE LIVING. APARTMENTS COMPLY WITH HUD HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS. THERE ARE 61 PSH UNITS FOR RENT TO THOSE WHO MEET INCOME AND DISABILITY STANDARDS, INCLUDING 40 SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY UNITS, 15 ONE-BEDROOM, 4 TWO-BEDROOM, AND 2 THREE-BEDROOM UNITS.

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 July 1985.

    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.

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