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The Beacon of Downtown Houston

EIN 71-0933434 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL AND NEXT-STEP SERVICES TO RESTORE HOPE AND HELP END HOMELESSNESS IN HOUSTON.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
52
Volunteers
2,982
Highest pay
$187,355, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 December 31, 2024, 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. THE BEACON OFFERS ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE HOT MEALS, ACCESS TO SHOWERS, LAUNDRY SERVICES, MAILBOX SERVICES, DEVICE CHARGING, ACCESS TO A COMPUTER, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY, INCLUDING WEEKENDS. THE BEACON ALSO COMPLETES INTAKE FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED IN THE JOHN S. DUNN OUTREACH CENTER. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST TO CONDUCT INTAKE, SUPPORT MAILBOX SERVICES, PREPARE MEALS, AND COMPLETE LAUNDRY SERVICES.
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE BEACON PROVIDES HOUSING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND OPERATES ONE OF THE COORDINATED ENTRY CENTERS FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE COLLABORATIVE KNOWN AS THE WAY HOME. A HOUSING ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES VIA COORDINATED ENTRY AS THE FIRST STEP TO SECURE A HOUSING SOLUTION. HOUSING ASSESSMENTS ARE PROVIDED MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH THE PROCESS OF LEASING A HOUSING UNIT. IN ADDITION, THE BEACON, THROUGH THE BRIGID'S HOPE PROGRAM, PROVIDES 12-MONTHS OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN FORMERLY INCARCERATED. THE PROGRAM OPERATES 7-DAYS A WEEK AND SERVES UP TO 15 WOMEN AT A TIME. VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS MENTORS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS.
  3. $888,971 spent. THE BEACON CONDUCTS LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH ITS BEACON LAW PROGRAM. CIVIL LEGAL AID IS OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOUSING. BEACON LAW STRIVES TO BRING JUSTICE BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS WITH PRO-BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP RESOLVE LEGAL ISSUES WHICH STAND IN THE WAY OF EMPLOYMENT OR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. THE BEACON'S ATTORNEY AND PARALEGAL STAFF TEAM IS AUGMENTED BY VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS, CREATING ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO SERVE MORE PEOPLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 May 2003.

    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.