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Willows Project

EIN 38-4166875 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Willows Project provides humanitarian aid to primarily Central American immigrants in north central Hamilton County and southern Butler County Ohio. Program services include prevention of homelessness through emergency rent assistance payment of passport fees for US-born children and a food bank.

Income
$21,915
Spending
$22,730
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • 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, 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 (7)
  1. $13,805 spent. Emergency rent assistance: Provided direct financial assistance to households facing imminent eviction or housing instability due to unforeseen financial hardship. Payments were made directly to landlords or leasing offices to prevent homelessness and maintain stable housing.
  2. $2,860 spent. Passport access assistance: Provided financial assistance to cover OS passport application fees for US-born children in immigrant families supporting access to legal identification citizenship documentation and related rights.
  3. $1,637 spent. Food access & nutrition program: Provided free weekly food distribution to community members including culturally relevant staple foods and fresh produce to improve nutrition and support food security.
  4. $740 spent. Emergency utility assistance: Provided direct financial assistance to households at risk of utility shutoff including electricity gas and other essential services to maintain safe living conditions during periods of financial hardship and extreme weather.
  5. $492 spent. Commissary communication support: Provided financial assistance to fund jail commissary accounts for incarcerated individuals enabling communication with legal counsel and maintaining contact with family members.
  6. $553 spent. The Willows Project provided an additional $553 in direct financial assistance to individuals grants for transportation medical expenses and essential household items.
  7. $1,777 spent. During 2025 the organization paid $1,777 incurred in 2024 for food supplies used in program services.

Source: Form 990 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 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 October 13, 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 December 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 July 2021.

    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 October 21, 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.