Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Junior League of Houston Inc

EIN 74-1185659 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule OThe Junior League of Houston, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women's leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The League has been "Building A Better Community" by addressing community needs, including basic needs, abuse of women and children, healthcare, education, and cultural enrichment for 100 years.

Income
$11.4 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
68
Volunteers
4,114
Highest pay
$167,615, administrative director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% 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 May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 May 31, 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. $4.6 million spent. Tea Room - See Schedule OTea Room: The Junior League of Houston, Inc. established its first community project as a clinic for disadvantaged children. The clinic created the foundation for the League's relationships with major medical resources in Houston, including Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub Hospital, Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center, Texas Children's Hospital, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. To fund the clinic, members formed a Luncheon Club - the genesis of today's Tea Room. The Tea Room supports the League's exempt purposes by serving as a training facility where members are educated in the discipline of service, which is then carried into various community service projects the League undertakes. The training and education afforded by the Tea Room enable members to be more effective and efficient community volunteers. The Tea Room exclusively serves its Tea Room patron members, League members, and their guests.
  2. $1.1 million spent. Community Program and Community Support Services - See Schedule OCommunity Program and Community Support Services: Community projects are a main focus of The Junior League of Houston, Inc. During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the League served individuals through community projects addressing a broad spectrum of needs in Houston and surrounding areas. Many of these programs are initiated by the League and fully supported through League volunteers and funding. League volunteers serve many people - infants, children, women in crisis, families, and the elderly; in many places - hospitals, museums, camps, and schools; and in many capacities - docents, mentors, and program facilitators. During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the League combined volunteer time with direct financial support through grants, collaborative efforts, and community projects.
  3. $273,815 spent. Membership Services, Training, and Education - See Schedule OMembership Services, Training, and Education: The Junior League of Houston, Inc.'s membership is more than 4,000 strong. In addition to community volunteer placements, active and provisional League members attend a required number of general membership meetings each year. League members receive ongoing volunteer training and attend a variety of other meetings including council, education, leadership/training, community placement, and committee meetings. League members create newsletters, seasonal event calendars, a biannual magazine, and a yearly directory, as well as maintain a comprehensive website and social media presence. The goal of membership training and education is to further the mission of the League in developing the potential of women and training volunteers for effective action and leadership in the community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 October 13, 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 May 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 April 1953.

    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 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.