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West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc

EIN 76-0001309 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO GIVE SHORT TERM ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED AND MINISTER TO VARIOUS OTHER HUMAN NEEDS

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
30
Volunteers
1,067
Highest pay
$215,600, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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 September 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. $2.0 million spent. WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES PROVIDES LIFE-CHANGING WRAP-AROUND PROGRAMS THAT HELP THOSE IN NEED DURING THEIR IMMEDIATE CRISIS, WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE INTERMEDIATE TO LONGER TERM. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT/MORTGAGE TO PREVENT EVICTIONS AND HOMELESSNESS; HELP WITH UTILITIES TO AVOID DISCONNECTIONS THAT MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING; PROVIDE CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS DEPENDING ON THE NEED; AS WELL AS SEASONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HOLIDAY TOYS/GIFT CARDS FOR CHILDREN, AND HOLIDAY MEALS FOR FAMILIES; SPIRITUAL COUNSELING (WHEN REQUESTED); AND ONSITE SERVICES BY PARTNER AGENCIES (PUBLIC BENEFIT ENROLLMENT, INSURANCE, ETC.), AS WELL AS REFERRALS TO OUTSIDE PROGRAMS NOT OFFERED BY WHAM. (CONTINUED ON PG. 60)(CONTINUED FROM PG. 2) WE HELP HOUSEHOLDS AFTER COMPASSIONATE, ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS WHERE WE LEARN HOW TO BEST MEET THEIR SHORT-TERM BASIC NEEDS AND ESTABLISH A PATH FOR LONGER-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY. TO THIS PURPOSE, WE PROVIDE EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AND CONNECT CLIENTS TO TOOLS THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. CLIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO JOB LEADS, WORKSHOPS, RESUME BUILDING, MOCK INTERVIEWS, OFFICE SUPPORT, CLASSES IN COMPUTING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, ESL, GED, AND CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL CLINICS, JOB FAIRS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND INTERVIEW-APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE. WE HELPED OVER 5,513 CLIENTS IN FY2025 WITH THESE VARIOUS SERVICES.
  2. $4.3 million spent. PROVIDES GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES AND THEIR PETS, AND NONPERISHABLE FOOD TO HOMELESS CLIENTS IN BOTH A DRIVE-THRU AND A GROCERY STORE SETTING THAT ALLOWS CLIENTS TO SELECT THEIR OWN FOOD FROM THE WIDE ASSORTMENT AVAILABLE. WE ALSO OFFER FOOD IN A SAFE, DRIVE-THRU SETTING WHERE FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE LOADED INTO CAR TRUNKS IN AN EFFICIENT, CONTACTLESS, MANNER. WE OFFER EXTENDED HOURS FOR WORKING CLIENTS, DEDICATED HOURS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE DISABLED, MONTHLY COMMUNITY FOOD FAIRS, COOKING CLASSES, REFERRALS TO HEALTHCARE AND OTHER SERVICES TO FAMILIES, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FOOD TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, SENIOR CITIZENS, FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, AND SUMMER LUNCHES TO CHILDREN WHO LOSE ACCESS TO SCHOOL-PROVIDED MEALS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. WHAM'S PLATINUM-RATED (CONTINUED ON PG. 60)(CONTINUED FROM PG. 2) FOOD PANTRY IS THE LARGEST IN WEST HOUSTON, AND HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK AS ONE OF A FEW TRUSTED HUB AGENCIES DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO SMALLER AGENCIES. OVER 126,285 PEOPLE RECEIVED FOOD ASSISTANCE FROM US IN FY2025, WITH 1,981,546 POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED.
  3. $398,890 spent. PART OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND DEPENDENT ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS' DONATIONS OF GENTLY WORN CLOTHING, FURNITURE, BOOKS, ARTWORK, ETC., OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BENEFITS THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY HAVING ITS SALES REVENUE GOING RIGHT BACK INTO THE ORGANIZATION TO INVEST ON THE OPERATION OF OUR PROGRAMS TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED. EVERY DOLLAR STAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HELPS THOSE SUFFERING IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. OUR STORE ALSO MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO DISTRIBUTE CLOTHING AND SHOES TO CLIENTS IN NEED AND PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE TO THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH OUR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. IT ALSO BENEFITS THE ENVIRONMENT BY REDUCING WASTE, AND ENCOURAGING REUSE AND RECYCLING. OVERALL, THE STORE SAVED ABOUT 499,082 POUNDS OF CONSUMABLES FROM GOING TO AREA LANDFILLS AND FUNDED 5% OF OUR PROGRAMS IN FY 2025.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 March 1982.

    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.