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Passes our checks

Serenity

EIN 54-2057162 · Petersburg, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERENITY IS DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND REFERRALS IN A SAFE SETTING TO THOSE INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY HIV.

Income
$477,090
Spending
$495,488
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
15
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$74,263, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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. $437,952 spent. PROVIDED NON-FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PREVENTION EDUCATION SERVICES TO 150 PLUS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AIDS AND THE AT RISK POPULATION TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF HIV
  2. $4,000 spent. PROVIDED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMERGENCY FINANCILA ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AIDS
  3. $17,128 spent. HOUSING ASSISTANCE. SERENITY FACILITATES HOUSING ASSISTANCE THAT INCLUDES UP TO 90 DAYS RENTAL/UTILITIES ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS RECENTLY RELEASED FROM JAIL OR HOSPITALS. THE FIRST MONTH RENT AND SHORT TERM RENTAL AND UTILITIES ASSISTANCE IS ALSO PROVIDED. THE HOUSING PROGRAM IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE EFFORT TO ASSIST CLIENTS STABILIZATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 June 2004.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Serenity Care Inc (Andover, MA), EIN 68-0620485. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.