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Passes our checks

Saint Stephens Way Inc

EIN 45-5390085 · Melbourne, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ST. STEPHENS WAY PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALONG WITH SUPPORTINGSERVICES TO HOMELESS FAMILIES REFERRED BY THE BREVARD HOUSING AUTHORITY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

Income
$865,520
Spending
$542,446
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-166.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
4
Volunteers
36
Highest pay
$54,000, ed/secretary thru 3/14/24

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 142% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $385,339 spent. HOUSING: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HOUSING TO HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. THE HOMES PROVIDE A STABLE LIVING / LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $1,785 spent. SUPPORT SERVICES: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO ITS RESIDENTS INCLUDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, FINANCIAL BUDGETING, NUTRITION AND STRESS MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, CONTINUING EDUCATION, DECISION MAKING SKILLS, AND SCRIPTURE STUDY. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN THE HOLMAN CENTER WHICH IS ON THE SAME CAMPUS AS THE 40 HOMES.
  3. $13,083 spent. COMMUNITY AWARENESS: THE ORGANIZATION BUILDS AWARENESS OF HOMELESSNESS AMOUNG SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN THROUGH SPECIAL EVENTS, NEWSLETTES AND OTHER MEDIA.

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2015.

    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 September 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 November 2015.

    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.