Building Opportunities for Self - Sufficiency
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
BOSS's mission is to help homeless, poor and disabled people achieve health and self sufficiency, and to fight against the root causes of poverty and homelessness in its community of Alameda County.
- Income
- $20.9 million
- Spending
- $22.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 93%
- Employees
- 210
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $236,731, 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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 104% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $18.9 million spent. BOSS provides housing and comprehensive support services to homeless, disabled, and very low-income families and individuals, to help them build new skills, overcome urgent health problems and other crises, and achieve stable income and permanent housing in the community. To achieve this goal, BOSS provides the following programs: Community Housing Support Services: BOSS provides the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness PATH outreach and referral services. Shelter Plus Care S+C case management services. CalAim Housing and community supports services. HRC/West Oakland Access Points, Coordinated Entry Assessments referrals for primary healthcare, substance use, mental health, benefits, job training, educational services, and housing. Income Services: BOSS helps people secure public benefits they are eligible for General Assistance, Social Security/Disability benefits, unemployment, veterans benefits, CalFresh, Covered California enrollments. BOSS shelters have computer labs where people can learn and practice software modules, to increase job skills, and work on resumes. BOSS provides Representative Payee services to individuals referred by Social Security as needing help to manage their funds. Emergency Shelters: BOSS provides emergency shelter to single adults in Berkeley at Ursula Sherman Village Harrison House, 50 beds and shelter to families Harrison House, 48 beds and Hayward South County Homeless Project, 24 beds, serving severe and persistent mentally ill. Meals, showers, laundry, storage, and help connecting people to housing search resources is provided in all BOSS shelters. Interim Housing: The program provides property management and access to case management, life skills classes, a small computer lab, peer support groups. Safe Haven Casa Maria: BOSS operates an Interim Housing facility in partnership with community partners providing housing, SSI/SSDI benefits, and navigation services. The Casa Maria Safe Haven project is comprised of 17 units serving a high need high risk population. RV Safe Parking: BOSS provides 40 spaces for individuals to park their RVs. These individuals also receive services that include case management and housing navigation. Independent Supported Living ISL: BOSS operates four permanent supportive housing facilities? Pacheco Court Hayward, 10 units, Adults McKinley House Berkeley, 7 units, Adults, Rosa Parks House 11 units, Adults, and South County Sober Housing Hayward 15 units, Transitional Age Youth, Cesar Chavez San Leandro, 2 units and program space services disabled individuals. BOSS Reentry Housing Network New Hope Reentry Campus and Women and Children?s Reentry Campus: provides services offers interim housing and onsite services for individuals returning home from incarceration to reintegrate into the community, transition into stable housing, reunify with family, and attain pro-social relationships. Services include personalized case management, life skills classes, peer support groups. Child/family services: BOSS provides after school education and developmental support for the homeless kids at our Berkeley housing facility the Childrens Learning Center. BOSS also connects families with therapy to recovery from trauma and provides counseling and education to help parents stay engaged in their kids learning when they move into housing of their own. Re-entry Support Services: Case Management Help with assessing needs, setting goals and monitoring progress, accessing needed resources, and staying focused and motivated. Drop-Ins & Referrals Drop-in hours for anyone in need get information and assistance, including needed referrals to programs and services. Outreach/Engagement Active community outreach to encourage participation in services and help people stay involved. Peer Support Coaching from others who have experienced the same struggles sharing lessons and celebrating success. The Rental Assi
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
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 June 2025.
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 November 1975.
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.
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.