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St Joseph Social Service Center

EIN 52-1467470 · Elizabeth, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SJSSC BRINGS PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS BY PROVIDING FOOD, HEALTH PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES WITH LOVE, DIGNITY, AND COMPASSION.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
21
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$79,518, executive dir.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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. $1.8 million spent. ST. JOSEPH'S OFFERS FOUR FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WITH THE COMPLETION OF OUR NEW FOOD PANTRY BUILDING IN JANUARY 2024, WE HAVE TRANSITIONED TO AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE FOOD PANTRY MODEL. WE CURRENTLY SERVE 700+ HOUSEHOLDS EACH MONTH. EACH BAG WILL FEED A FAMILY OF FOUR FOR FIVE DAYS. THE SOUP KITCHEN SERVES MEALS TO 150-200 GUESTS EACH SATURDAY. THE DAILY BREAD PROGRAM PROVIDES ABOUT 400 SANDWICHES AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS SIX DAYS A WEEK, 52 WEEKS A YEAR. ST. JOSEPH'S ALSO WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY AS A DISTRIBUTION SITE. 150-300 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVE PRODUCE, MEAT, DAIRY AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE 3RD AND 4TH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH. EXTRA DISTRIBUTIONS TAKE PLACE ON THE 3RD SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH AND A FARMERS MARKET DISTRIBUTION OCCURS ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN TOTAL, THE AGENCY PROVIDES OVER 850,000 MEALS PER YEAR.
  2. $166,011 spent. THE HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM ASSISTS CLIENTS WITH MEDICATION AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. EDUCATION AND NUTRITION AWARENESS ARE OFFERED TO ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES. THE PROGRAM ASSISTS APPROXIMATELY 100 CLIENTS EACH MONTH WITH ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO LIVE A MORE PRODUCTIVE LIFESTYLE.THE CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH CLIENTS TO IDENTIFY THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY FOR THEM TO PROCURE THEIR MEDICATION AND WE ARE THE "LAST DOLLAR IN". IN ADDITION, ST. JOSEPH PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND NUTRITION WORKSHOPS SO THAT CLIENTS CAN MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES AND REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ETC. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
  3. $287,875 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT, SEASONAL PROGRAMS, AND ADULT EDUCATION ARE ADDITIONAL SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY. CASE MANAGEMENT IS A COMPONENT OF ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS. WHEN INDIVIDUALS REGISTER FOR THE FOOD PANTRY OR PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE FAMILY SITUATION IS EVALUATED TO SEE IF OTHER SERVICES OR REFERRALS ARE NEEDED.SEASONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS HOLIDAY GIFTS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND SUMMER CAMP ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED FAMILIES. THE ADULT EDUCATION CENTER OFFERS ESL CLASSES, COMPUTER SKILLS AND JOB READINESS TRAINING.

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 November 6, 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 2020.

    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 November 4, 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.