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House of Ruth

EIN 52-1054102 · Washington Dc, DC

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

HOUSE OF RUTH HELPS WOMEN, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN GREATEST NEED AND WITH VERY LIMITED RESOURCES TO BUILD SAFE, STABLE LIVES AND ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. SERVING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SINCE 1976, HOUSE OF RUTH PROVIDES VULNERABLE, ABUSED WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH NURTURING HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THE WOMEN ARE DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES, SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMELESSNESS, LIFE-LONG HISTORIES OF ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY AND DEEP POVERTY. MORE THAN 1,000 WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE ASSISTED ANNUALLY.

Income
$20.0 million
Spending
$16.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
136
Volunteers
324
Highest pay
$302,219, ceo/president

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 66% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $4.6 million spent. HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR WOMEN - COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO UP TO 127 WOMEN AT A TIME AT THREE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SERVICES CONCENTRATE ON HELPING THE WOMEN BUILD THE SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES TO FUNCTION IN THEIR DAILY LIVES, STABILIZE ANY MENTAL ILLNESS, SECURE RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION, AND AVOID ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS. DURING THE DAY, THE WOMEN ARE INVOLVED IN EDUCATION, TRAINING, AFTER CARE OR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS OR ARE EMPLOYED.
  2. $4.4 million spent. HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR FAMILIES - HOUSE OF RUTH PROVIDES HOUSING ENRICHED WITH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS AND ABUSED, SERVING UP TO 78 FAMILIES AND MORE THAN 200 CHILDREN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. HOUSING AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT FOUR APARTMENT BUILDINGS AS WELL AS SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE MOTHERS PURSUE AN ACTIVE SCHEDULE OF EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION OR TRAINING, MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR ADDICTION RECOVERY WORK, POSITIVE CHILD-REARING AND LEARNING DAILY LIVING SKILLS. THE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL OR DAY CARE, AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND RECEIVE INTENSIVE COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES.
  3. $5.9 million spent. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES - UP TO 73 HOMELESS CHILDREN AT A TIME BENEFIT FROM THE THERAPEUTIC DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES PROVIDED AT KIDSPACE CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO THE PARENTS TO HELP THEM BECOME ENGAGED IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION IN POSITIVE WAYS AND TO ADDRESS ANY CHALLENGES (HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ADDICTION) THAT THEY MAY BE FACING. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT CENTER PROVIDES OUTREACH AND PSYCHOTHERAPY TO WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE DEALING WITH OR RECOVERING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE CENTER SERVES APPROXIMATELY 500 CLIENTS ANNUALLY.

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 1976.

    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.