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Higher Ground & Womens Recovery Residence

EIN 38-4320758 · Penningtn Gap, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for women in recovery from substance use disorder as they rebuild their lives, cultivate healthy habits, and thrive in sobriety. Through personalized care plans, life skills training, and strengthened community connections, we strive to empower these women to reclaim their lives and b

Income
$569,588
Spending
$106,256
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
38.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
1

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 81% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 82% 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $80,212 spent. Higher Ground Womens Recovery Residence provided safe, stable, recovery-focused housing for women recovering from substance use disorder in rural Southwest Virginia. The organization maintained a structured sober living environment emphasizing accountability, peer support, recovery engagement, and independent living skills. Residents were assisted with access to healthcare, counseling, medication-assisted recovery services, transportation, court compliance, and community based recovery resources. Services were designed to reduce homelessness, support long-term sobriety, and strengthen family and community reintegration. Recovery Housing and Resident Support ServicesHigher Ground Womens Recovery Residence provided safe, stable, recovery-focused housing for women recovering from substance use disorder in rural Southwest Virginia. The organization maintained a structured sober living environment emphasizing accountability, peer support, recovery engagement, and independent living skills. Residents were assisted with access to healthcare, counseling, medication-assisted recovery services, transportation, court compliance, and community based recovery resources. Services were designed to reduce homelessness, support long-term sobriety, and strengthen family and community reintegration.
  2. Life Skills, Education, and Workforce DevelopmentThe organization provided life skills and workforce readiness support to residents through individualized recovery planning, budgeting assistance, educational support, job readiness preparation, transportation coordination, and financial literacy education. During the year, Higher Ground continued development and planning activities for a workforce development and thrift store initiative intended to create employment opportunities, vocational training, and sustainable revenue supporting recovery housing services.
  3. Community Recovery Partnerships and OutreachHigher Ground collaborated with healthcare providers, peer recovery organizations, local agencies, courts, recovery groups, and community partners to expand access to recovery support services for women in an underserved Appalachian community. The organization coordinated referrals and partnerships to improve access to treatment, recovery resources, transportation, and supportive services. Outreach and collaboration efforts focused on reducing barriers to recovery-centered housing and improving long-term recovery outcomes for women and families impacted by substance use disorder.

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 September 2024.

    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.