Bethesda Center for the Homeless Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of The Bethesda Center is to improve the lives of homeless individuals by providing shelter and supportive services leading to independent lives.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 50%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $52,761, executive director through june 2024
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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.0 million spent. Bethesda Centers supportive services provide a variety of services to those individuals who are residing in the resource center. Activities within this component are intense case management with a focus on permanent housing placement or other housing options, rental/utilities arrears payments, rental/utilities deposit, referrals to mainstream services, programming, peer support, bus passes and other services as identified based on assessments. This include the following HAWS Move clients from the street or shelter to permanent housing through collaboration with The Housing Authority of Winston Salem. General case management Provide intensive case management for adults 18 plus to shelter clients for re entry into market rate housing and assist them in developing knowledge to maintain their housing. Bethesda Center Manages a resource center for homeless individuals to receive services during the day. These services include eligibility determination for the night program until coordinated intake is operational, provide a safe place to be during extreme weather, location for housing services with case management, data services for basic human needs such as showers, laundry and bathroom facility, sign up for mail and identification voucher and location for agencies to provide services and a site for third shift homeless people to sleep while waiting for housing. Bethesda Centers Day Emergency Shelter provides a place for the homeless until the night shelters open. Emergency Night Shelters Bethesda Centers Emergency Mens Night Shelter provides a clean environment for men to sleep, shower and wash clothes, and to address hygiene issues and other barriers, such as employment, housing, etc. Bethesda Centers Emergency Womens Night Shelter provides a clean environment for women to sleep, shower, launder clothes and to address hygiene issues and other barriers, such as employment, housing, etc.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1989.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.