Visitation House Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Visitation House Ministries mission is to meet, and hold as central, the needs of economically vulnerable women and children.Total Donated Services (In-Kind) for 2024 is as follows: Program Services $3,045 Fundraising 4,235 Administration 0 _______ Total In-Kind $7,280 ======
- Income
- $375,697
- Spending
- $303,117
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 92.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 42
- Highest pay
- $47,319, ex-officio,e.d.
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 92.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $201,289 spent. Transitional Housing & Education Program:Visitation House Ministries Transitional Housing and Education Programs have historically offered resources, services, and opportunities for economically vulnerable women and their children. Through its programs, Visitation House Ministries focuses on the cycle of poverty resulting from limited education, which in turn limits opportunities for earning a living wage and leads to homelessness and family disintegration.For nearly 40 years the Transitional Housing component of VHM offered a two-year residential program by providing stability for homeless single mothers with young children and assisting them in gaining the education and skills needed to move from homelessness into permanent housing and sustainable economic independence. All families received intensive (weekly/daily) support services, including case management and referrals, life skills training, counseling, educational tutoring and academic advisement. In 2024, Visitation House Ministries provided transitional housing, education and comprehensive support services for five (5) homeless families consisting of five (5) adults and nine (9) children for a total of 3,251 days in residence. The transitional housing program was designed to bring about transformational change. Our goal has never been limited to providing social services and subsidized housing, but to offer the support necessary to help women make changes in their lives that will move them towards self-sufficiency. It challenges their internal motivation - believing that further education and a better job are not impossible dreams - and then offers them the resources and encouragement to achieve those dreams. Each mom pursued a distinctive education goal, particular to her level of education attainment. During the Spring and Fall semesters of 2024, three program participants attended San Antonio College (SAC), one worked towards earning her GED, and one participant graduated from the Goodwill Career Academy as a Medical Assistant. These women are first-generation students. Three participants maintained part-time employment while in school. The women attending SAC received grants that covered their tuition and books. Program participants who have income made minimal rent payments up to 30% of their part-time earnings less deductions for the number of children they had. Three participants were able to pay the highly subsidized rent and utilities. Two participants were under the support of our programming while working towards their certifications or looking for employment. When participants were able to pay for utilities, the bill was placed in their name, allowing them to develop budgeting skills and build credit. Visitation House Ministries, through its donors, supplied the families with hygiene and cleaning products that they could not purchase with their SNAP benefits. Program participants received weekly case management and referrals to other resources as necessary and weekly virtual individual counseling. Medicaid covered the childrens healthcare needs and the case manager referred the adults to area clinics that accept uninsured patients. Participants also received assistance with health-related costs such as eye and dental care. A key element of Visitation House programming was the Children Enrichment Program. Over 38 years of professional experience has taught us that the children will be the change agents to break generational cycles of poverty and/or homelessness. The goal of this program is to address and mitigate factors that place children at risk of poor academic outcomes. These factors include migration from school to school and high rates of absenteeism due to financial barriers, residential instability and family violence. The after-school coordinator was a paid intern earning a degree in Psychology. The latter carried out the daily work of providing academic, inspirational and motivational support for the children. We were also able to welcome volunteers to assist with the after-school enrichment program. In 2024, eight school-aged children participated in the afterschool program. Each child received approximately 2-3 hours a week of tutoring with a focus on reading and math. The children experienced improvement in one or more subject areas, school commendations and/or higher attendance rate. In addition to the tutoring, they were involved in activities that were non-academic e.g. creative projects, play and educational games, and story time. Donated Services(In-Kind) for 2024 amounted to $3,045.
- $16,545 spent. VHM began the Supportive Services Program in September 2023 with the goal to provide support to women in the community. This program extended our nonresidential support services to the larger population of low-income women in the San Antonio community. In collaboration with a local affordable housing program, we offered a ten-week program aiding economically vulnerable single mothers. During this period, 10 participants received case management support and resources focused on education and the workforce. The women set goals based on their individual needs they could achieve within the period, such as working on attaining a higher level of education, exploring career opportunities, budget building, creating healthy habits, or developing life skills, leading to stability to support their families. The outcomes of this program include:100% of Housing Program participants experience changes in their lives that are moving them to self-sufficiency.100% of children in the Children Enrichment Program experience residential stability, a nurturing environment and educational support. 100% of Supportive Service participants experienced improved confidence in their abilities to navigate their own self-identified goals for educational and professional growth.In August, the Visitation House Board of Directors made the strategic decision to shift the ministrys focus from a housing-centered program to focus on education and related support services for the vulnerable women and children we are privileged to serve. This change in direction reflects our commitment to meeting the current needs of those we serve sustainably and with our continued commitment to program quality that honors the dignity of everyone.Rest assured, Visitation House remains steadfast in its mission to support vulnerable women and children with renewed focus and effectiveness. We continue to learn how best to respond to the needs of single moms and their children and are committed to adjusting our efforts to live our Mission and continue caring for this vulnerable group.Throughout this planning process, leadership worked to identify the ministrys Core Tenets, which help define VHM and its approach to ministry. The vision and strategy that results from this planning process should carefully consider these core tenets as guideposts for any future form this ministry may take.We believe in the power of co-ministry; as we work to serve the women of Visitation House Ministries, we learn from them and are transformed with them.We are a community, not an agency; we offer hospitality to women with children who are ready and willing to make a sustainable change. Education is foundational to sustainable change, but not sufficient. Families need access to a broad menu of social services, navigation support and time to make lasting changes.Homelessness among families is a solvable problem. Women with children are the most motivated to make a sustainable change and can do so with the right resources, support and time.Our culture, programming, services and network support women in the creation of stable and loving homes for their children.We are most effective when we work with women who are willing and ready to make a change. When our expectations are high, women rise to meet them. We are demanding because we care and because it works.We are part of a vast network of committed people, programs and resources that, when leveraged effectively, strengthen our ministry and those we serve.To be a sustainable ministry, we must have more than a financial plan. We must also have the skills and ability to set the right direction, make good decisions, provide valued services, grow and offer an excellent ministry. The spirituality and charism of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are foundational to the relationships we forge and all that we do.Donated Services(In-Kind) for 2024 amounted to $0.
- $12,000 spent. Las Hermanas Program
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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 1946.
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.