Northwest Assistance Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NAM is a community-based multi-program social services agency striving to meet basic human needs. NAM provides assistance in areas of food, shelter, helath, education, safety and financial education during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
- Income
- $9.3 million
- Spending
- $10.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 69
- Volunteers
- 3,043
- Highest pay
- $214,753, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 18 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 September 30, 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 (4)
- $4.9 million spent. The Emergency Basic Needs program provided client services to 6,388 families. NAM's Emergency Basic Needs program assisted 219 clients with rental and mortgage assistance, totaling $389,601. Over $18,000 in utility assistance was granted to 90 clients. To assist clients in getting ready for the new school year, NAM provided school supplies to over 200 children. Over 700 individuals were provided with client vouchers to get essential items from the Resale Store. Additionally, through its partnership with Moving Waters, the Resale Shop provided clothing to 534 homeless clients.The Joanne Watford Nutrition Center safely provided nutritious groceries, including fresh produce, meat and dairy to 14,453 individuals. Many of these clients were new. Through its partnership with Common Market, the Joanne Watford Nutrition Center furnished over 6,679 fresh food boxes to 3,078 clients. In partnership with the Houston Food Bank, NAM hosted drive-thru food distributions serving 1,561 families and 146 low-income seniors. Thanksgiving and Holiday meals were given to 1,661 families.NAMs Housing Homeless Services provided assistance to 118 families. Through government grants, these families received extensive aid, including case management, rent/utilities support, housing placement, financial education, and essential items totaling over $829,275.NAMs Veterans Services provided assistance to 62 families. Through veterans funding, these families received extensive aid, including case management, rent/utilities support, housing placement, financial education, and essential items totaling over $120,000.
- $2.0 million spent. Meals on Wheels delivered a total of 259,018 nutritious meals for 1,053 homebound seniors and disabled individuals within NAMs 24 zip codes, which were delivered by over 700 dedicated volunteers. Over 140 individuals received monthly grocery deliveries and Saturday frozen meals. 6,384 fresh boxes of vegetables and fruits were provided through our partnership with Common Market. As prescribed by their physicians, 112 seniors received weekly nutritional supplements. Homebound seniors companion animals were provided pet food and pet supplies, which were donated by the Houston Humane Society. At the Young at Heart Senior Center, a total of 163 seniors were served and participated in 8,009 virtual and in-person activities (physical fitness, dance, French language and wellness classes). The 60+ Caf congregate meal program served 4,668 hot meals and furnished 3,341 rides to the Young at Heart Senior Center.
- $1.3 million spent. NAMs Family Violence Center assisted 397 clients, providing services including crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, information and referrals, access to shelter, emergency transportation, client advocacy, and legal advocacy. Through economic stability funding, clients were assisted with rent, utilities, and childcare totaling $114,462. A total of 5,611 phone calls were answered on the 24-hour hotline from victims in crisis or individuals seeking help. Youth violence prevention education was provided in five area school districts: Klein, Aldine, Cy-Fair, Tomball and Spring. Presentations or awareness events were presented to 1,625 individuals in the community. A total of 763 counseling sessions were provided to adults and children, in both English and Spanish. The Family Violence Center assisted over 50 clients with obtaining a protective order through the Harris County District Attorneys Office.The Learning and Vocational Training Center provided financial education, training, and coaching services were provided to 183 adults. Through collaborative efforts with the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), another 2,925 students were engaged, enabling their enrollment in GED and ESL classes through NAMs facilities, referrals, and marketing initiatives. 59 scholarships were granted, aiding 35 individuals in securing employment and supporting 32 others in skill enhancement. NAM joined forces with WorkTexas to organize two job fairs, collectively serving around 700 participants, with over 20 employers present at each event.NAM could not fulfill its mission without volunteers. In FY 2023-2024 over 3,000 NAM's dedicated volunteers contributed 49,678 hours of service.
- OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: NAMs Behavioral Health Services Program provided over 2,000 hours of direct client-therapist interface, based on a 50-minute clinical hour, were provided to 138 adults, 24 adolescents, 45 children, and 162 families. Counseling services were delivered by licensed and masters level therapists, either in-person and/or via Telehealth using a secure client portal. Clinical services were offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese. The program supported community mental health through conferences, workshops, presentations and community events at churches and local school districts, presenting on topics such as anxiety, depression, bullying, and parenting. A weekly Child Yoga class was facilitated to help children learn mindfulness, emotional regulation, and focusing and concentration skills, while also promoting wellness, improved mood, and positive mental health outcomes. Through its partnership with Santa Maria Hostel, a Parenting Skills group for Spanish-speaking parents was offered.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.