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Passes our checks

Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality

EIN 45-5617917 · Sparks, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR INITIATIVE IS TO CULTIVATE A GREATER SENSE OF DIGNITY AND HUMILITY BY PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO SHELTER, KNOWLEDGE, AND OPPORTUNITY. WE SEEK TO CREATE A STRONGER COMMUNITY THROUGH THE USE OF SHARED RESOURCES AND MUTUAL AID.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
175
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$99,043, executive director

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $2.7 million spent. OUR PLACE - THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A LOW-BARRIER EMERGENCY HOUSING FACILITY FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN THE RENO-SPARKS COMMUNITY. THE CAMPUS PROVIDES SHELTER AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND THEIR ANIMAL COMPANIONS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. CROSSROADS - THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES SOBER SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN THE RENO-SPARKS COMMUNITY. THE CARE TEAM SERVES A VITAL ROLE BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY STRUCTURE, OVERSIGHT, SAFETY AND CONSISTENCY NEEDED TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS LONG TERM SUCCESS.
  3. $328,076 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH - THE ORGANIZATION'S MOBILE OUTREACH UNITS PROVIDE ON-THE-SPOT HAIRCUTS, CARE BAGS AND PROVIDE FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES TO THOSE IN NEED. RISE TEAMS ALSO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN NAVIGATING AVAILABLE RESOURCES WITH THE GOAL OF EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED FOR A POSITIVE CHANGE.
  4. $184,169 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PEER-TO-PEER OUTREACH SERVICES TO UNSHELTERED POPULATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. SERVICES INCLUDES PROVIDING SUPPORT, RESOURCES AND OPTIONS TO UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF MINIMIZING TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH RELATIONS AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE SUCCESSFUL PERMANENT HOUSING. ADDITIONAL SERVICES INCLUDE OF ONGOING TRASH REMOVAL IN AREAS ALONG THE TRUCKEE RIVER USING CURRENT AND FORMERLY UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS ON A CONTRACT BASIS AND ASSISTING IN THE REDUCTION OF OPIOID OVERDOSES AMONGST THE UNSHELTERED.

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 November 6, 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 October 2013.

    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 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.