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True North of Columbia Inc

EIN 43-1483863 · Columbia, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER ALL TO CREATE A SAFER COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING SAFETY, SHELTER, EDUCATION, AND TRANSITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY INTIMATE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, STALKING AND SEX TRAFFICKING.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
55
Volunteers
107
Highest pay
$100,101, executive di

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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $1.2 million spent. IN 2024, THE TRUE NORTH EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVED 266 RESIDENTS, INCLUDING 155 WOMEN, 107 CHILDREN, 3 MEN, AND 1 NON-CONFORMING OR TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUAL, PROVIDING OVER 6,180 NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER AND 10,436 SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR FAMILIES WAS 23 DAYS. SERVICES INCLUDED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, COURT AND HOSPITAL ADVOCACY, PARENTING SESSIONS, INDIVIDUAL CHILD SESSIONS, ASSISTANCE WITH EX PARTE ORDERS OF PROTECTION, SUPPORT GROUPS INCLUDING LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS, AND VICTIM ADVOCACY. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS TO KEEP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SAFE BY PROVIDING A SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESIDENCE AND ENSURING THAT EVERY RESIDENT LEAVES THE PROGRAM SAFER THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED. RESIDENT DESTINATIONS OFTEN INDICATE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS. IN 2024, 33.84% OF THOSE EXITING THE SHELTER TRANSITIONED TO SAFE, PERMANENT HOUSING OR EXTENDED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OF TWO YEARS OR MORE, 52.10% MOVED TO SAFE, TEMPORARY LOCATIONS, AND 4.69% RETURNED TO UNSAFE SITUATIONS. AMONG RESIDENTS COMPLETING EXIT INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS, 88.37% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD SAFETY GOALS, 62.79% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD HOUSING GOALS, 71.43% REPORTED PROGRESS ON LEGAL GOALS, 78.38% REPORTED PROGRESS IN BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND 84.21% REPORTED PROGRESS IN UTILIZING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, 96.55% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED FEELING MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND 89.36% REPORTED THAT THEIR CHILDREN NOW HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT HOME. IN 2024, THE TRUE NORTH EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVED 266 RESIDENTS, INCLUDING 155 WOMEN, 107 CHILDREN, 3 MEN, AND 1 NON-CONFORMING OR TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUAL, PROVIDING OVER 6,180 NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER AND 10,436 SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR FAMILIES WAS 23 DAYS. SERVICES INCLUDED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, COURT AND HOSPITAL ADVOCACY, PARENTING SESSIONS, INDIVIDUAL CHILD SESSIONS, ASSISTANCE WITH EX PARTE ORDERS OF PROTECTION, SUPPORT GROUPS INCLUDING LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS, AND VICTIM ADVOCACY. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS TO KEEP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SAFE BY PROVIDING A SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL RESIDENCE AND ENSURING THAT EVERY RESIDENT LEAVES THE PROGRAM SAFER THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED. RESIDENT DESTINATIONS OFTEN INDICATE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS. IN 2024, 33.84% OF THOSE EXITING THE SHELTER TRANSITIONED TO SAFE, PERMANENT HOUSING OR EXTENDED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OF TWO YEARS OR MORE, 52.10% MOVED TO SAFE, TEMPORARY LOCATIONS, AND 4.69% RETURNED TO UNSAFE SITUATIONS. AMONG RESIDENTS COMPLETING EXIT INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS, 88.37% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD SAFETY GOALS, 62.79% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD HOUSING GOALS, 71.43% REPORTED PROGRESS ON LEGAL GOALS, 78.38% REPORTED PROGRESS IN BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND 84.21% REPORTED PROGRESS IN UTILIZING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, 96.55% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED FEELING MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND 89.36% REPORTED THAT THEIR CHILDREN NOW HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT HOME.
  2. $112,563 spent. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH'S TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM SERVED 16 FAMILIES, INCLUDING 15 WOMEN, 17 CHILDREN, AND 1 MAN, PROVIDING 5,388 NIGHTS OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 546 SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, HOUSING ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, COURT-RELATED ASSISTANCE, INDIVIDUAL CHILD SESSIONS, CHILD CARE, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND LIFE SKILLS CLASSES. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR FAMILIES WAS 163 DAYS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE STABLE HOUSING WHILE REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND REMOVING BARRIERS TO SURVIVOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IN 2024, SEVEN FAMILIES EXITED THE PROGRAM, WITH ALL BUT ONE TRANSITIONING IN PLACE TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE, PERMANENT HOUSING, AND 100% OF THESE FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. THREE NEW FAMILIES ENTERED THE PROGRAM AND OBTAINED SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH RENT AND UTILITIES SUBSIDIZED BY TRUE NORTH THROUGH A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN GRANT, AND THEY ALSO RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS FROM OTHER AGENCY RESOURCES. PARTICIPANTS WERE OFFERED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT GROUPS, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS OPTING TO RECEIVE VOLUNTARY ONGOING SUPPORT. TRUE NORTH CONTINUES TO WITNESS SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN PARTICIPANTS' SELF-ESTEEM AND RESILIENCY DESPITE PAST TRAUMA AND MULTIPLE BARRIERS. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION THREE YEARS AGO, 88.2% OF PROGRAM GRADUATES HAVE REMAINED STABLY HOUSED FOR OVER ONE YEAR. AT PROGRAM EXIT, 100% OF PARTICIPANTS MET AT LEAST 50% OF THEIR GOALS, AND 84% MET 75% OR MORE OF THEIR GOALS. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH'S TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM SERVED 16 FAMILIES, INCLUDING 15 WOMEN, 17 CHILDREN, AND 1 MAN, PROVIDING 5,388 NIGHTS OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 546 SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, HOUSING ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, COURT-RELATED ASSISTANCE, INDIVIDUAL CHILD SESSIONS, CHILD CARE, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND LIFE SKILLS CLASSES. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR FAMILIES WAS 163 DAYS. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE STABLE HOUSING WHILE REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND REMOVING BARRIERS TO SURVIVOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IN 2024, SEVEN FAMILIES EXITED THE PROGRAM, WITH ALL BUT ONE TRANSITIONING IN PLACE TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE, PERMANENT HOUSING, AND 100% OF THESE FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. THREE NEW FAMILIES ENTERED THE PROGRAM AND OBTAINED SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH RENT AND UTILITIES SUBSIDIZED BY TRUE NORTH THROUGH A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN GRANT, AND THEY ALSO RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS FROM OTHER AGENCY RESOURCES. PARTICIPANTS WERE OFFERED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT GROUPS, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS OPTING TO RECEIVE VOLUNTARY ONGOING SUPPORT. TRUE NORTH CONTINUES TO WITNESS SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN PARTICIPANTS' SELF-ESTEEM AND RESILIENCY DESPITE PAST TRAUMA AND MULTIPLE BARRIERS. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION THREE YEARS AGO, 88.2% OF PROGRAM GRADUATES HAVE REMAINED STABLY HOUSED FOR OVER ONE YEAR. AT PROGRAM EXIT, 100% OF PARTICIPANTS MET AT LEAST 50% OF THEIR GOALS, AND 84% MET 75% OR MORE OF THEIR GOALS.
  3. $523,488 spent. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH'S NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SERVED 535 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT, PROVIDING OVER 5,910 SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, CASE MANAGEMENT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, COURT AND HOSPITAL ADVOCACY, PARENTING SESSIONS, CHILD EDUCATION SESSIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH EX PARTE AND FULL ORDERS OF PROTECTION. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IS TO EMPOWER VICTIMS THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. AMONG PARTICIPANTS COMPLETING EXIT INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS IN 2024, 85.71% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD SAFETY GOALS, 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING EMOTIONAL NEEDS, 83.33% REPORTED PROGRESS ON LEGAL GOALS, 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN UTILIZING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, 96.67% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED FEELING MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND 96.67% REPORTED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AS A RESULT OF THE SERVICES RECEIVED. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH'S NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM SERVED 535 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT, PROVIDING OVER 5,910 SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, CASE MANAGEMENT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT EDUCATION, SAFETY PLANNING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, COURT AND HOSPITAL ADVOCACY, PARENTING SESSIONS, CHILD EDUCATION SESSIONS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH EX PARTE AND FULL ORDERS OF PROTECTION. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IS TO EMPOWER VICTIMS THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. AMONG PARTICIPANTS COMPLETING EXIT INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS IN 2024, 85.71% REPORTED PROGRESS TOWARD SAFETY GOALS, 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING EMOTIONAL NEEDS, 83.33% REPORTED PROGRESS ON LEGAL GOALS, 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND 100% REPORTED PROGRESS IN UTILIZING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, 96.67% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED FEELING MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND 96.67% REPORTED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AS A RESULT OF THE SERVICES RECEIVED.
  4. TRUE NORTH'S OUTREACH PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN CHANGING ATTITUDES AND PREVENTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH STAFF FACILITATED 47 PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENTS, MEDICAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDER AGENCIES, REACHING OVER 3,610 INDIVIDUALS.
  5. TRUE NORTH'S OUTREACH PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN CHANGING ATTITUDES AND PREVENTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. IN 2024, TRUE NORTH STAFF FACILITATED 47 PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENTS, MEDICAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDER AGENCIES, REACHING OVER 3,610 INDIVIDUALS.

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 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 2024.

    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 December 1993.

    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.