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College Houses

EIN 74-1648710 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE AS A TRANSFORMATIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPOWERS STUDENTS THROUGH DEMOCRATIC, COOPERATIVE LIVING. WE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO FOSTER COMMUNITY, SUPPORT EDUCATION, AND PROMOTE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
8
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$80,889, executive 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (1)
  1. $4.2 million spent. COLLEGE HOUSES SUPPORTS ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR AUSTIN STUDENTS BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MEALS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. COLLEGE HOUSES PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS WITH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SOCIALLY AND BECOME LEADERS IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS AND COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. EACH SEMESTER, COLLEGE HOUSES PROVIDES HOUSING TO OVER 500 STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND OTHER AREA SCHOOLS. ALL OF OUR HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE BELOW 50% MFI, WITH SOME DOUBLE-OCCUPANCY ROOMS AFFORDABLE BELOW 30% MFI. ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AREA. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS THE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES RELATED TO MAINTAINING THE HOUSING STOCK, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND DEBT SERVICE. OUR NEXT LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS PROVIDING MEALS TO OUR MEMBERS, BOTH THROUGH THE CONSUMABLES AND THROUGH THE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. OUR THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS THE DIRECT EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS TO MEMBERS, MAINLY THROUGH THE PERSONNEL COSTS REQUIRED TO OFFER ONGOING TRAINING TO CO-OP MEMBERS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATION OF THE CO-OP.COLLEGE HOUSES CO-OPS ARE MORE THAN AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE, EAT AND STUDY - OUR HOUSES ARE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITIES. WE PROVIDE A PLETHORA OF BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS AND BROADEN THEIR EXPERIENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME MEMBERS MAY START OFF ON A TEAM THAT COOKS HOUSE MEALS, AND PROGRESS TO THE ROLE OF HEAD COOK, WHERE THEY WILL MANAGE PEERS IN ONE OF OUR COMMERCIAL KITCHENS. FROM THERE THEY MIGHT RUN FOR ELECTION TO SERVE AS THEIR HOUSE KITCHEN MANAGER OR FOOD BUYER, WHERE THEY WILL MASTER PLANNING, FINANCIAL, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH HELP FROM STAFF. ANOTHER MEMBER MAY GET ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN HOUSE MEETINGS AND BECOME A MEETING CHAIR, WHERE THEY WILL LEARN PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO LEAD OTHERS TO MAKE COLLECTIVE DECISIONS. THERE ARE MANY WAYS STUDENTS CAN LEARN AND GROW IN OUR CO-OP COMMUNITIES, AND WE FREQUENTLY HEAR FEEDBACK THAT MEMBERS GAIN SKILLS IN THE CO-OPS THAT SET THEM APART IN THEIR FUTURE CAREERS.COLLEGE HOUSES IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING ON OUR STRONG FOUNDATIONS AND LONG HISTORY IN ORDER TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE OUR SERVICES. AS AUSTIN CONTINUES TO BECOME A MORE POPULOUS AND EXPENSIVE CITY, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO PRESERVE AND EXPAND OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INNOVATE NEW PROGRAMS, AND WORK WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION FOR A BETTER 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 February 1972.

    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.