Womens Safe House
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR VISION: A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS FREE FROM ABUSE. OUR MISSION: EMPOWERING WOMEN AND FAMILIES TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES FREE OF DOMESTIC ABUSE THROUGH EMERGENCY SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $3.1 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 63%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 584
- Highest pay
- $131,824, chief executive officer
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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 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 (7)
- $1.8 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THE WOMEN'S SAFE HOUSE (TWSH) RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED SAFE SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 106 WOMEN AND 159 DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHO WERE FACING HOMELESSNESS WHILE ESCAPING VIOLENCE IN THEIR OWN HOMES. WE PROVIDED 16,576 NIGHTS OF SAFETY FOR THESE 265 WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND SERVED 30,857 MEALS AND SNACKS. ALL SERVICES OFFERED AT TWSH ARE PROVIDED USING A VOLUNTARY SERVICES MODEL, ALLOWING WOMEN TO SELF-DIRECT THEIR SUPPORT. IN 2024, TWSH PLACED MORE THAN 80% OF PARTICIPANTS IN SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. IN THE LAST YEAR, NEARLY 97% OF RESPONDENTS INDICATED THEY FELT LESS ISOLATED AND 97% OF THOSE SURVEYED DEVELOPED A PERSONAL SAFETY PLAN, 84% OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE ISSUES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES HAS INCREASED DUE TO THEIR TIME AT TWSH. 100% OF RESPONDENTS WHO HAD CHILDREN REPORTED THAT THEIR CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A SAFE PLACE OR PERSON IN THEIR LIVES.
- $86,047 spent. CRISIS HOTLINE TWSH OPERATES A 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION HOTLINE STAFFED 365 DAYS A YEAR. THE HOTLINE SERVES AS THE PRIMARY INTAKE FOR SHELTER RESIDENTS AND PROVIDES ADVOCACY FOR WOMEN IN CRISIS OR THOSE AT-RISK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IN 2024, 6,732 HOTLINE CALLS WERE ANSWERED WITH COMPASSION AND CARE BY TRAINED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. EACH CALL IS ANSWERED IN A TRAUMA-INFORMED MANNER, OFFERING ALL CALLERS ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT AS WELL AS INFORMATION AND APPROPRIATE REFERRALS THAT HELP DIRECT CALLERS TO RESOURCES THAT MAY PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
- $205,911 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH TO AGE 18 WHO HAVE WITNESSED AND SOMETIMES EXPERIENCED ABUSE IN THEIR HOMES. OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART PROGRAM PROVIDES A COMFORTING AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, IMPROVE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, AND LEARN POSITIVE WAYS OF EXPRESSING THEMSELVES. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATES WORK ALONGSIDE PARENTS AND THEIR CASE MANAGER TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO HEAL FROM THEIR TRAUMA AND ABUSE. IN 2024, 198 CHILDREN AND YOUTH BENEFITTED FROM YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THAT CONSIST OF INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS, RESPITE HOURS, FIELD TRIPS, HOLIDAY PARTIES, AND AGE-APPROPRIATE PLAY.
- $179,170 spent. STEPS (SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS BY EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH SERVICES) PROGRAM THE STEPS PROGRAM PROVIDES WOMEN WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM WITH 12 MONTHS OF CONTINUED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES NECESSARY TO REMAIN SAFE, STABILIZED, AND CONSISTENT IN THEIR HEALING JOURNEY. THIS SUPPORT MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ADVOCACY, CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING AND THERAPY, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE GOAL IS TO HELP CLIENTS AVOID FUTURE HOMELESSNESS AND REDUCE THE CHANCE THAT A WOMAN MIGHT RETURN TO HER ABUSER AS SHE REBUILDS HER LIFE AND ATTAINS SECURITY AND INDEPENDENCE. IN 2024, 55 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN THE STEPS PROGRAM.
- $98,078 spent. HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM - THE HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN AS THEY TRANSITION INTO HOUSING. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY RELATED TO FINDING, OBTAINING, AND MAINTAINING SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING AND MAY ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN AVAILABLE. THE HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF THESE WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND/OR RETURNING TO A LIFE OF ABUSE. SINCE FEBRUARY 2024, THE HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM HAS GROWN FROM PROVIDING 5 FAMILIES WITH YEAR-LONG RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO SERVING MORE THAN 29 FAMILIES WITH YEAR-LONG RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
- $47,765 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE WOMEN'S SAFE HOUSE EVERY DAY. VOLUNTEER EFFORTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SERVING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ORGANIZING FUNDRAISING AND SPECIAL EVENTS, ORGANIZING CLOTHING AND SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVES, ASSISTING WITH IN-KIND DONATIONS, ANSWERING CRISIS CALLS, PROVIDING CHILD CARE, PROVIDING CLERICAL SUPPORT, OR COMPLETING ONE-DAY PROJECTS SUCH AS PAINTING RESIDENTIAL ROOMS OR HELPING WITH GROUNDS. PRACTICUM STUDENTS, INTERNS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE STUDENTS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE AT THE WOMEN'S SAFE HOUSE. VOLUNTEERS ARE RECRUITED THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING AND OUTREACH AT SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, CHURCHES, CIVIC GROUPS, BUSINESS AND CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES AND UNITED WAY. IN 2024, 496 VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION, PROVIDING 3,647 HOURS OF SUPPORT FOR OUR PROGRAMS. OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IS CERTIFIED THROUGH THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS. SINCE THE SERVICES OF OUR VOLUNTEERS GENERALLY DO NOT REQUIRE SPECIALIZED SKILLS, THEIR VALUE IS NOT RECORDED IN THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BECAUSE NO OBJECTIVE BASIS IS AVAILABLE TO MEASURE THE VALUE. AN ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF SUCH SERVICES IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 990 PER IRS INSTRUCTIONS. TWSH GENERALLY PAYS FOR SERVICES REQUIRING SPECIFIC EXPERTISE.
- $44,399 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION - THE WOMEN'S SAFE HOUSE REMAINS COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED ABOUT THE NATURE AND DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL ABUSE AND DISPELLING MYTHS THAT PERPETUATE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. TRAINED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK PUBLICLY ABOUT AND AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING, THE AGENCY'S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, ANNUAL REPORT, AND OTHER MATERIALS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.