Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Childrens Shelter

EIN 74-1109660 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE A SAFE TRAUMA FOCUSED PLACE FOR CHILDREN IN CRISIS, RESTORING INNOCENCE WHILE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF ABUSE.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$8.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
93
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$262,882, chief executive officer

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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. $2.1 million spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONSHOPE CENTER: THE HARVEY E. NAJIM HOPE CENTER IS AN OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL/MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC PROVIDING A CONTINUUM OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR CHILDREN IN BEXAR COUNTY WHO ARE SUFFERING TRAUMATIC AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS BECAUSE OF PROLONGED ABUSE, NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT. THE HOPE CENTER OFFERS ACCESSIBLE, SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS BY LICENSED COUNSELORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN A LOVING, SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $2.0 million spent. CHILD WELFARE SOLUTIONSEMERGENCY SHELTER: LAMB CAMP, OUR REIMAGINED EMERGENCY SHELTER, IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR CHILDREN AGES 010 WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO CRISIS OR TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS. EXPANDING PLACEMENT CAPACITY IN REGIONS 8A AND 8B, LAMB CAMP HELPS REDUCE DISRUPTIVE OUT-OF-AREA TRANSFERS, KEEPING CHILDREN CLOSER TO THEIR SCHOOLS, SIBLINGS, AND COMMUNITIES. INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO FEEL LIKE A VIBRANT SUMMER CAMP RATHER THAN AN INSTITUTION, LAMB CAMP REFLECTS THE CALM OF THE OUTDOORS WITH NATURE-INSPIRED, TRAUMA-INFORMED SPACES, CALMING CORNERS, AND FLEXIBLE PLAY AREAS THAT PROMOTE SAFETY, HEALING, AND EXPLORATION. EVERY ASPECT IS THOUGHTFULLY CRAFTED TO ENSURE CHILDREN FEEL VALUED, SECURE, AND ENCOURAGED. LAMB CAMP PROVIDES 24-HOUR CARE WITH OVERNIGHT AWAKE STAFF. CHILDREN RECEIVE COMPLETE MEDICAL SERVICES, COUNSELING, THERAPY, EDUCATION AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY.FOSTER CARE: THE SHELTER IS LICENSED BY, AND RECEIVES FUNDING FROM, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS A CHILD PLACING AGENCY. THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER OFFERS AND COORDINATES FOSTER FAMILY SERVICES, PARTNERING WITH COUPLES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES DUE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR ABANDONMENT. THE SHELTER PROVIDES THE REQUIRED TRAINING AND LICENSING FOR PROSPECTIVE FOSTER PARENTS AND INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN FOSTER CARE. THE SHELTER ALSO PROVIDES THE SAME SERVICES FOR KINSHIP HOMES, HOMES PROVIDING FULL-TIME CARE, NURTURING AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN BY RELATIVES OR SIGNIFICANT ADULTS.ADOPTION: THE SHELTER RECRUITS AND TRAINS ADOPTIVE PARENTS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES DURING EVERY PHASE OF THE ADOPTION PROCESS. SUPPORT INCLUDES REGULAR SHELTER VISITS, FACILITATION OF A SUPPORT GROUP THAT MEETS REGULARLY, AND A PUBLISHED NEWSLETTER WITH HELPFUL INFORMATION.
  3. $3.0 million spent. FAMILY STRENGTHENING AND PREVENTION SERVICESNURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP: THE NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED VOLUNTARY PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDING NURSE SHELTER VISITATION SERVICES TO ANY WOMAN WHO IS LOW INCOME AND PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD. REGISTERED NURSES PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND COUNSELING ON HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY ISSUES THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY, INFANCY, AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE CHILD REACHES THE AGE OF TWO.COMPADRE Y COMPADRE: COMPADRE Y COMPADRE IS A 15-WEEK PARENTING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MEN IN A FATHERHOOD ROLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN VALUABLE, LIFE-CHANGING SKILLS AS FATHER, PROVIDER, TEACHER, AND HERO. WHILE MOST PARTICIPANTS ARE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM FROM CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR THE COURT SYSTEM, SOME PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY SEEKING THE CHANCE TO BECOME A STRONGER AND MORE NURTURING PARENT. PROGRAMMING IS TAILORED FOR ANY MALE IN A CAREGIVING ROLE, TAUGHT BY AN ALL-MALE STAFF. AFTER THE 15-WEEK CLASS IS COMPLETED, ALL GRADUATES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10-WEEK CLASS TO BECOME A COMPADRE MENTOR.IPARENT: IPARENT SA IS A COMPREHENSIVE PARENTING AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM WITH IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES THAT REDUCE CHILD MALTREATMENT, BOLSTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY. HIGHLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED PARENT EDUCATORS WORK WITH FAMILIES TO FACILITATE EVIDENCE-BASED PARENT EDUCATION CURRICULA TO HELP IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, DEVELOP GOALS, AND BUILD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, SHORT TERM RESPITE, GROUP BASED AND LONG-TERM ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.FAMILY UNIT-VERSITY: FAMILY UNIT-VERSITY IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTING PILOT PROGRAM DEDICATED TO HELPING YOUNG PARENTS IN BEXAR AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES RAISE HAPPY, HEALTHY CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THE SKILLS, SUPPORT, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. THE PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE THEY HAVE AS THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHERS. THE 10-WEEK GROUP COURSE COVERS TOPICS SUCH AS MY CHILD'S GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT AND THE POWER OF WORDS. ALTERNATIVELY, OR IN ADDITION TO THE 10-WEEK COURSE, THERE ARE SINGLE SESSION BOOT CAMPS THAT FOCUS ON ONE TOPIC SUCH AS BONDING, LANGUAGE BUILDING, SENSORY PLAY AND TUMMY TIME.

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 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 June 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 July 1947.

    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.

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.