Houston Area Womens Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Houston Area Women's Center (HAWC) works to end domestic and sexual violence and supports all in building safe and healthy lives through advocacy, counseling, education, shelter, and support services.
- Income
- $15.8 million
- Spending
- $16.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- -12.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 216
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $204,010, cfo
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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (2)
- $3.6 million spent. Residential Services: Our 120-bed residential campus is a refuge for survivors fleeing domestic and sexual violence, including sex trafficking. Our comprehensive, wraparound services include case management, individual and group psychotherapy/counseling, mentoring, parenting classes, career development, legal clinics, financial management/life skills workshops, job and computer training, personal living supplies, and onsite community partner services. We provide licensed early childhood education, a K-5 elementary school, and extended-hours after-school enrichment onsite. Our cafeteria serves three nutritious meals plus two snacks daily. All services are provided in a secure and safe environment.
- $6.6 million spent. Non-Residential Services provide support at the Education and Counseling building for adult and child survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including their non-offending family members. Services include Hotline Services, Counseling and Advocacy Services, Housing Services, Children's Court Services, and Outreach Counseling programs. These services are also available virtually and in person, and include support for survivors of sex trafficking and programs for economic empowerment. Three survivor empowerment hubs throughout the community increase access to these services.See Schedule OViolence Prevention and Community Education is directed toward community members, including potential allies, service providers, and the general public. Its goal is to educate these audiences on the dynamics and root causes of domestic and sexual violence to help prevent these forms of violence.
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 March 1978.
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.