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Empowerhouse

EIN 52-1142547 · Fredericksbrg, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERHOUSE EMPOWERS SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AND BUILD NEW LIVES FILLED WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT, SAFETY, AND HOPE. WE GIVE VICTIMS THE TIME, SPACE, AND TOOLS TO HEAL THEIR HEARTS, RESTORE THEIR CONNECTIONS, REBUILD THEIR LIVES, AND RENEW THEIR SPIRITS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
54
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$103,037, executive di

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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 (human services, $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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. PROVIDING EMERGENCY HOUSING, ENTRY TO PERMANENT HOUSING, AND FINANCIAL AND HOUSING STABILITY SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. DURING THE YEAR, 297 VICTIMS AND CHILDREN FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WERE SUPPORTED IN FACILITIES WITH THEIR CRISIS NEEDS, WITH CASE MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AND FINANCIAL SUBSIDIES TO SUPPORT SAFETY, FINANCIAL, AND HOUSING STABILITY. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 27,615 BED NIGHTS TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN WHICH ALLOWED 76 INDIVIDUALS TO BE SUPPORTED EACH NIGHT OF THE YEAR WITH SHELTER OR THEIR RENTAL HOUSING PAID FOR BY EMPOWERHOUSE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. THE EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING PROVIDED INTERVENTION SERVICES TO INCLUDE CERTIFIED BATTERER INTERVENTION PROGRAMS; GROUPS FOR TEEN GUYS, GROUPS FOR TEEN GIRLS, GROUPS FOR CHILDREN CALLED FORGOTTEN VICTIMS, AND OTHERS AS NEEDS ARISE. THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED LEGAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR STAFF PROVIDED EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO OVER 6,070 LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDERS, MEMBERS, AND STUDENTS ON THE DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE WARNING SIGNS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE. OVER 2,400 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED VIA THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE. STAFF ASSISTED 1,167 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN-PERSON WITH SUPPORTIVE EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY, COURT ADVOCACY, HOSPITAL ACCOMPANIMENT, AND SAFETY PLANNING IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. 214 MEN AND WOMEN WERE PROVIDED INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING IN PERSON TO HELP THEM CEASE VIOLENCE BEHAVIOR IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS WITH FOOD, ACCESSING HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND OTHER NEEDS THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY FROM THE EDUCATION, YOUTH AND ADVOCACY TEAMS AT EMPOWERHOUSE. THE EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING PROVIDED INTERVENTION SERVICES TO INCLUDE CERTIFIED BATTERER INTERVENTION PROGRAMS; GROUPS FOR TEEN GUYS, GROUPS FOR TEEN GIRLS, GROUPS FOR CHILDREN CALLED FORGOTTEN VICTIMS, AND OTHERS AS NEEDS ARISE. THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED LEGAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY FOR FAMILIES. DURING THE YEAR STAFF PROVIDED EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO OVER 6,070 LOCAL COMMUNITY PROVIDERS, MEMBERS, AND STUDENTS ON THE DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE WARNING SIGNS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE. OVER 2,400 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED VIA THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE. STAFF ASSISTED 1,167 ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN-PERSON WITH SUPPORTIVE EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY, COURT ADVOCACY, HOSPITAL ACCOMPANIMENT, AND SAFETY PLANNING IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. 214 MEN AND WOMEN WERE PROVIDED INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING IN PERSON TO HELP THEM CEASE VIOLENCE BEHAVIOR IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS WITH FOOD, ACCESSING HEALTHCARE, EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND OTHER NEEDS THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY FROM THE EDUCATION, YOUTH AND ADVOCACY TEAMS AT EMPOWERHOUSE.

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 April 1979.

    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.