Chas Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CHAS FOUNDATION IS: TO ADVOCATE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS; TO ADDRESS THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS; TO STREAMLINE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT; TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS BY WORKING WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROFESSIONALS; TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS IMPACTED BY THEIR LOVED ONES MENTAL ILLNESS. ESTABLISHED IN 2012, THE CHAS FOUNDATION AIMS TO STREAMLINE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION. CHAS STANDS FOR COURAGE, HOPE, ACCEPTANCE, AND SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED IN MEMORY OF CHARLES H. KIRKWOOD (CHAS) WHO STRUGGLED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER, ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS BARRIERS TO TREATMENT, AND ULTIMATELY LOST HIS LIFE TO SUICIDE. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN AS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE HOW MENTAL ILLNESS IS BOTH PERCEIVED AND TREATED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $141,748
- Spending
- $123,966
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 8.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 47
- Highest pay
- $45,867, 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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (1)
- $117,984 spent. MENTAL ILLNESS NAVIGATOR & SUPPORT (MINS) PROGRAM IN 2024, THE CHAS FOUNDATION CONTINUED HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS BY CONNECTING THEM TO LOCAL TREATMENT PROVIDERS AND OFFERING PEER FAMILY SUPPORT. SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, CRISIS MEALS, AND TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI). INDEED, THERE IS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND THEM ACCESSING TREATMENT. A MULTITUDE OF BARRIERS EXIST ACCESSING TREATMENT INCLUDING COST, TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF PROVIDERS, WAIT-TIMES TO RECEIVE TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ETC CHAS SEEKS TO ELIMINATE THOSE BARRIERS. THE MENTAL ILLNESS NAVIGATOR AND SUPPORT PROGRAM EDUCATES FAMILIES ABOUT THE COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, SUPPORTS THEM ALONG THEIR JOURNEY, AND PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF CARE THROUGH REFERRALS AND CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (TREATMENT PROVIDERS, HOUSING, POLICE, COURT, JAILS). WHEN INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES ARE INADEQUATE, OR THE INDIVIDUAL AND/OR FAMILY HAS EXHAUSTED ALL OPTIONS, THE CHAS FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE PEER FAMILY SUPPORT SO THAT A SUPPORT SYSTEM IS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY UNIT. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS GIVEN BY MEETING WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT THEIR CHOICE OF LOCATION, PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION TO REACH SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND ASSISTANCE MAKING DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM CAN BE A MAZE FOR INDIVIDUALS. MANY PEOPLE, FAMILIES, AND CARETAKERS DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START OR HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM. AN ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE SHOWING RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN EVERY HAMPTON ROADS CITY IS CONTINUALLY UPDATED FOR COMMUNITY USE. CHAS IS THE PRIMARY CONTACT LISTED FOR RESIDENTS TO ACCESS RESOURCES AND SERVICES ON THE MENTALLY HEALTHY HAMPTON ROADS RESOURCE GUIDE. THE RESOURCE GUIDE CAN BE FOUND AND DOWNLOADED AT TALKABOUTITNORFOLK.COM. CHAS AND THE NAVIGATOR AND SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDE A FREE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE FOR THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION. A PERSON CAN CALL AND SPEAK WITH A PEER-SPECIALIST THAT'S COMPASSIONATE, CARING, SUPPORTIVE, AND INFORMATIVE WHILE WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY MEMBER, OR CARETAKER. A CHAS PEER-FAMILY-SUPPORT SPECIALIST IS AVAILABLE BY PHONE FROM 9AM TO 5PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY. THE SUPPORT SPECIALIST IS LOCAL TO THE REGION AND PROVIDES BOTH INFORMATION AND SUPPORT THAT IS TRULY A LIFELINE TO CALLERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THE MINS PEER-SUPPORT-SPECIALIST CAN BE ON THE PHONE OR MEETING WITH A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT FOR UPWARDS OF 3 HOURS PER DAY. MINS STAFF WORK WITH SOME PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS DAILY OR MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK AND SOME PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN IN THE MINS PROGRAM FOR OVER 8 YEARS. UNLIKE BEFORE, LOCAL HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE PROVIDERS ARE NOW REFERRING FAMILIES TO THE CHAS FOUNDATION. THE MINS PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES CALLS FROM PEOPLE ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND RESOURCES INCLUDING BASIC INFORMATION LIKE PHONE NUMBERS OR ADDRESSES FOR INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROVIDERS. IN 2024, 612 PEER-SUPPORT CONNECTIONS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS AND RESOURCES WERE MADE BY THE MINS PROGRAM. 58% OF THE CALLS CHAS RECEIVES COMES FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS ASKING HOW TO HELP A LOVED ONE. 80% OF CALLERS HAVE SOME FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE. 70% OF CALLERS LIVE IN SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS. SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN, THE MINS PROGRAM HAS DIRECTLY HELPED OVER 4200 PEOPLE AND HAVE MADE OVER 5500 CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL SERVICES. 2024 SAW AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING CRISIS MEALS (69% INCREASE) AND TEMPORARY HOUSING (282% INCREASE) FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. MINDFULNESS PROGRAM MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY MAY BE USEFUL FOR TREATING SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY, ACCORDING TO RESEARCH PUBLISHED RECENTLY IN THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT CHANGES IN ANXIETY LEVELS AMONG PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER USING DIFFERENT TREATMENTS. THEY FOUND THAT MBCT AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY-BASED PSYCHOEDUCATION WERE BOTH EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ANXIETY SYMPTOMS. MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN FOUND TO BE USEFUL ADDITIONS FOR IMPROVING SYMPTOMS AND REDUCING HOSPITALIZATION AMONG PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOSIS. SOME RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FOR PEOPLE WITH ADHD, MINDFULNESS TRAINING MAY BE A HELPFUL SUPPLEMENT TO MEDICATION IN ADDRESSING REMAINING SYMPTOMS OF INATTENTION. MEDITATION PROGRAMS ARE ALSO BEING USED TO HELP REDUCE PTSD SEVERITY IN VETERANS. CHAS CONTINUES HOLDING TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS FOR MINDFULNESS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM CONTINUED WITH WORKSHOPS AT LOCAL HAMPTON ROADS HIGH SCHOOLS AND WORKING WITH BOTH STUDENTS AND FACULTY. 272 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN TRAINED THIS YEAR THROUGH BOTH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS. MINDFULNESS IS NOW RECOMMENDED AS AN ALTERNATIVE OR SUPPLEMENTAL TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND BIPOLAR DISORDER. FAMILIES AND CARETAKERS OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE MINDFULNESS OR WELLNESS ROOM LOCATED AT THE CHAS OFFICE. MINDFULNESS HELPS THESE INDIVIDUALS DEVELOP COPING SKILLS AND USEFUL TECHNIQUES THAT CAN IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. EDUCATION/TRAINING THE CHAS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM IN NORFOLK, VA. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS (CIT) ARE PROGRAMS THAT BRING TOGETHER LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS, MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, CONSUMERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND FAMILY ADVOCATES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE MULTI-SYSTEMS' RESPONSE TO PERSONS EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHAS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN AN INSTRUCTOR FOR THE NORFOLK POLICE DEPARTMENT'S CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM FOR 11 YEARS AND HAS TRAINED O
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 October 13, 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 April 2013.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Chg Foundation (Chula Vista, CA), EIN 33-0586911. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.