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Helpmate Inc

EIN 56-1276293 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO ELIMINATE ABUSE AND FEAR BY PROVIDING SAFETY, SHELTER, AND SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Income
$9.7 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-11 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
55
Volunteers
71
Highest pay
$98,296, 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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

    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 (3)
  1. $2.7 million spent. CRISIS STABILIZATION: HELPMATE PROVIDED CRITICAL AND LIFE-SAVING SERVICES TO 3,486 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY SHELTER, CRISIS HOTLINE, LETHALITY ASSESSMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, COURT ADVOCACY, SYSTEM-ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION. HELPMATE PROVIDED INTAKE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AT THE BUNCOMBE COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, A ONE-STOP, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE LOCATION FOR VICTIMS SEEKING SAFETY. HELPMATE RESPONDED TO 3,185 CRISIS CALLS AND HELPED SURVIVORS FORM 15,893 SAFETY PLANS. IN ADDITION, HELPMATE PROVIDEDEMERGENCY SHELTER TO 210 ADULTS AND CHILDREN FOR 6,248 SAFE BED NIGHTS. HELPMATE PROVIDED SPECIALIZED CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES TO 795 CHILDREN IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CRISIS STABILIZATION: HELPMATE PROVIDED CRITICAL AND LIFE-SAVING SERVICES TO 3,486 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCLUDING EMERGENCY SHELTER, CRISIS HOTLINE, LETHALITY ASSESSMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, COURT ADVOCACY, SYSTEM-ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION. HELPMATE PROVIDED INTAKE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AT THE BUNCOMBE COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, A ONE-STOP, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE LOCATION FOR VICTIMS SEEKING SAFETY. HELPMATE RESPONDED TO 3,185 CRISIS CALLS AND HELPED SURVIVORS FORM 15,893 SAFETY PLANS. IN ADDITION, HELPMATE PROVIDEDEMERGENCY SHELTER TO 210 ADULTS AND CHILDREN FOR 6,248 SAFE BED NIGHTS. HELPMATE PROVIDED SPECIALIZED CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES TO 795 CHILDREN IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
  2. $155,237 spent. COURT ADVOCACY: HELPMATE'S COURT ADVOCACY PROGRAM SUPPORTED 1,155 PEOPLE ACCESSING HELP THROUGH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURT SYSTEMS. ADVOCATES ASSISTED PEOPLE TO OBTAIN 433 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
  3. $191,709 spent. PREVENTION: HELPMATE'S PREVENTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING PROVIDED EDUCATION TO 6,228 PEOPLE THROUGH 217 WORKSHOPS. AMONG THESE, HELPMATE REACHED 1,969 PROFESSIONALS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, 2,177 YOUTH AND COLLEGE STUDENTS, 1,267 ADULTS AT HEIGHTENED RISK FOR VIOLENCE, AND 815 ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.