Rivers of Hope
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND CRISIS SERVICES TO AN INCREASING POPULATION OF ADULT VICTIMS. TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, AND EXPAND COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ENTITIES. TO FOSTER VICTIM ACCESSIBILTY TO ALL SERVICES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING EMERGENCY HOUSING. TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, AND PREVENTATIVE SERVICES TO YOUTH IN LOCAL SCHOOLS.
- Income
- $820,415
- Spending
- $752,818
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 47
- Highest pay
- $144,903, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (1)
- $624,270 spent. THE MISSION OF RIVERS OF HOPE IS TO ENSURE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SAFETY FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH AN ARRAY OF SUPPORTIVE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH LIVING IN SHERBURNE AND WRIGHT COUNTIES. SINCE 1989, RIVERS OF HOPE (ROH) HAS ENSURED THAT ADULT AND YOUTH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RECEIVE A RAPID RESPONSE AND ONGOING SUPPORT TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES RESIDENTS OF SHERBURNE AND WRIGHT COUNTIES AND IS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADULT AND YOUTH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.OUR ADVOCATE WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WITHIN COURT SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LEGAL ADVOCACY TO ENSURE SAFETY FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN; OFFER SUPPORT GROUPS IN BOTH COUNTIES INCLUDING CHILD CARE SERVICES; AND, A CRISIS PHONE LINE THAT IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. IN ADDITION, OUR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH IS AVAILABLE IN 19 SCHOOLS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC AND DATING VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE ONE ON ONE MEETINGS WITH OUR YOUTH ADVOCATE AND FACILITATED SUPPORT GROUPS. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO OVER 798 INDIVIDUALS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.