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Star House Foundation

EIN 47-1857320 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STAR HOUSE'S MISSION IS TO PARTNER WITH TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY EXIT HOMELESSNESS AND THRIVE IN A COMMUNITY OF HOPE.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$6.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
76
Volunteers
755
Highest pay
$201,575, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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 June 30, 2025, 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. $3.2 million spent. STAR HOUSE OPERATES CENTRAL OHIO'S ONLY DROP-IN CENTER FOR YOUTH, AGES 14-24, WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. AT THE DROP-IN CENTER, YOUTH ARE PROVIDED WITH IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO FOOD, CLOTHING, HYGIENE ITEMS, LAUNDRY MACHINES, SHOWER FACILITIES, AND A SAFE PLACE TO BE. BEYOND BASIC NEEDS, OUR CLINICAL TEAM PROVIDES THERAPY, CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO ON-SITE AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES SUCH AS HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, ADDICTION SERVICES, LEGAL AID, ID CARDS AND MORE.
  2. $435,209 spent. STAR HOUSE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY (CMHA) AND FINANCE FUND, OPERATES CAROL STEWART VILLAGE (CSV), AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEIGHBORHOOD FOR YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 18-24, TRANSITIONING OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. CSV OFFERS 62 STUDIO APARTMENTS WITH ON-SITE ACCESS TO CASE MANAGEMENT, THERAPY, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY. THANKS TO PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS PROVIDED BY CMHA, RESIDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AT CSV FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS WHILE THEY ACQUIRE THE CREDENTIAL AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO THRIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY. RESIDENTS PAY UP TO 30% OF THEIR GROSS ANNUAL INCOME FOR AFFORDABLE RENT AND UTILITIES AND SIGN A YEAR-LONG, RENEWABLE LEASE.
  3. $1.1 million spent. STAR HOUSE'S CLINICAL TEAM PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY, CASE MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION TO YOUTH AT THE DROP-IN CENTER AND RESIDENTS AT CAROL STEWART VILLAGE AND HELPS THEM MAKE CONNECTIONS TO STABILIZING RESOURCES. THERAPISTS WORK WITH YOUTH TO ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD), SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT, STAR HOUSE REGULARLY SEES YOUTH WHO BEGIN THE PROGRAM WITH SEVERE PTSD, EVENTUALLY NO LONGER HOLD A PTSD DIAGNOSIS. THERAPISTS AND CASE MANAGERS HELP YOUTH NAVIGATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS TO ACCESS THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO FIND STABILITY. THE TEAM CONNECTS THEM WITH CRUCIAL ID CARDS, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, LEGAL AID, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT BENEFITS AND MORE.
  4. $4,745 spent. FOR MANY YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THE PATH TO SUSTAINED EMPLOYMENT IS FILLED WITH SETBACKS, INCLUDING CHALLENGES WITH STABLE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND MORE. STAR HOUSE BREAKS DOWN THESE BARRIERS THROUGH THE STAR WORKS PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH PATHWAYS TO LIVING-WAGE CAREERS. BY PARTNERING WITH START-UP SOCIAL ENTERPRISES LIKE PETALS THAT INSPIRE, STAR HOUSE OFFERS TRANSITIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE TRULY TRANSFORMATIONAL. YOUTH EARN IMMEDIATE INCOME WHILE BUILDING THEIR RESUMES AND DEVELOPING THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 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.