Young Womens Christian Association of Houston
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE YWCA HOUSTONS MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS AND EMPOWER WOMEN AND GIRLS PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND DIGNITY FOR ALL.
- Income
- $3.0 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- -3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 91%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 101
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
Weak: 29 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 149% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 84 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $2.4 million spent. SENIOR SERVICE/MEALS ON WHEELS - SINCE 1975, THE YWCA HOUSTON HAS IMPACTED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF ELDERLY CITIZENS BY PROVIDING MEALS AND ACTIVITIES AT CONGREGATE SENIOR CENTERS AND DELIVERING HOT NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO THOSE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND. APPOXIMATELY 2000 SENIORS ARE SERVED DAILY IN THE CONGREGATE AND HOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAMS COMBINED. EACH CONGREGATE SITE HAS A SITE COORDINATOR THAT HELPS PLAN ACTIVITIES IN ADDITION TO THE MEAL SERVICES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DAY FIELD TRIPS, SHOPPING TRIPS, GAMES, EXERCISE, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS AS WELL AS COMPUTER CLASSES AND HEALTH EDUCATION WORKSHOPS. THE HOME DELIVERY MEAL IS SERVED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE HOME BOUND, ENSURING THEY RECEIVE AT LEAST ONE HOT MEAL DAILY.
- $621,661 spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS - THE YWCA HOUSTON OFFERS DORMITORY STYLE HOUSING FOR CHRONIC HOMELESS WOMEN AGES 18-24, PURSUING A LIFE OF STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. THE YWCA HOUSTON ALSO OFFERS ANOTHER HOUSING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED WOMEN AGES 18-24 AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SCATTERED SITES HOUSING, ASSISTING WITH RENTAL , UTILITY DEPOSITS, AND TRANSPORTATION.
- $146,633 spent. COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT -THE COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT DIVISION INCLUDES YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES. YOUTH PROGRAMMING: THE S.T.E.M. SUMMER CAMP SERVES 125 STUDENTS, OFFERING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTE TEAMWORK AND INTEREST IN S.T.E.M. CAREERS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED INDUSTRIAL FRIDAYS, EXPOSING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO INDUSTRIAL CAREERS. THE CAMP IS FUNDED BY PARTNERS LIKE LINDE AND CASE FOR KIDS. ENTREPRENEURSHIP (WE360): THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS WOMEN OF COLOR ENTREPRENEURS BY PROVIDING COACHING, WORKSHOPS, AND A PITCH COMPETITION WITH CAPITAL PRIZES. IT EMPOWERS WOMEN TO DEVELOP BUSINESS PLANS, FINANCIAL SKILLS, AND CONNECTIONS WITH MENTORS AND INVESTORS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YWCA USA.
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
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 December 2024.
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 July 1942.
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.