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A Ray of Hope

EIN 81-6089463 · Kalispell, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A RAY OF HOPE SHALL PROVIDE A SAFE HARBOR FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. IT WILL PROVIDE THOSE WHO SEEK HELP NOT ONLY WITH FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER; BUT WITH KNOWLEDGE AND AN AVENUE TO DEVELOP COMPETENCY IN MEETING LIFES FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL, FAMILY LEGAL AND REHABILITATION CHALLENGES. A RAY OF HOPE WILL OFFER A "HAND UP," RATHER THAN A "HAND OUT" IN ORDER TO BUILD SELF-RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

Income
$413,022
Spending
$350,922
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
15.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
3
Volunteers
69
Highest pay
$40,567, secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (3)
  1. $305,657 spent. A RAY OF HOPE RECEIVED MANY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN 2025 FROM NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THERE WERE 525 REQUESTS FOR A HAND UP - 372 REQUESTS FOR HOUSING, 54 WERE FOR THOSE WITH CHILDREN AND 25 CHILDREN STAYED. THERE WERE ALSO 454 REQUESTS FOR BENEVOLENCE AND OTHER SUPPORT INCLUDING CLOTHING AND SHOWERS. SADLY, 194 WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING OR SPACE OR OTHER. THE ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING FOR LAND IN THE COUNTY AREAS TO BUILD A FAMILY SHELTER COMPLEX. AROH PROVIDES A SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS AND A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO REHABILITATE FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDS TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FOR UTILITIES, RENT, AND OTHER ITEMS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN A SAFE HOME. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO AID PEOPLE TO GAIN SELF SUFFICIENCY. A RAY OF HOPE RECEIVED MANY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN 2025 FROM NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THERE WERE 525 REQUESTS FOR A HAND UP - 372 REQUESTS FOR HOUSING, 54 WERE FOR THOSE WITH CHILDREN AND 25 CHILDREN STAYED. THERE WERE ALSO 454 REQUESTS FOR BENEVOLENCE AND OTHER SUPPORT INCLUDING CLOTHING AND SHOWERS. SADLY, 194 WERE DENIED ASSISTANCE DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING OR SPACE OR OTHER. THE ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING FOR LAND IN THE COUNTY AREAS TO BUILD A FAMILY SHELTER COMPLEX. AROH PROVIDES A SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS AND A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO REHABILITATE FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDS TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FOR UTILITIES, RENT, AND OTHER ITEMS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN A SAFE HOME. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO AID PEOPLE TO GAIN SELF SUFFICIENCY.
  2. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A THRIFT STORE TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING TO CLIENTS AND TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION BY PROVIDING NEEDED CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
  3. THE ORGANIZATION BUILT A GARAGE/EDUCATION CENTER TO PROVIDE JOB TRAINING AND HAS AN APARTMENT OVER IT AT 46 5TH AVE W. THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR GARAGE PROVIDES REPAIRS TO HELP CLIENTS, TRAINING TO HELP CLIENTS MAINTIAN THEIR AUTOMOBILES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 December 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 March 2000.

    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.