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T E S S a

EIN 84-0746803 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER STALKING, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN EL PASO, TELLER, AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED) WE PURSUE THREE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES TOWARD OUR MISSION: TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SAFETY FOR ADULTS AND THEIR CHILDREN IN CRISIS. TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS THROUGH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SUCH AS OUR ADVOCACY, COUNSELING AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. TO CREATE A SAFER COMMUNITY FOR ALL FAMILIES THROUGH PREVENTION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OUTREACH.

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
77
Volunteers
316
Highest pay
$119,501, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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 (8)
  1. $675,558 spent. SAFEHOUSE PROGRAM: TESSA'S SAFEHOUSE PROGRAM PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING, AND SUPPORT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, INTIMATE PARTNER STALKING AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BECOME HOMELESS DUE TO DVSA OR HT.
  2. $406,722 spent. VICTIM ADVOCACY: TESSA STAFF PROVIDE ADVOCACY, SYSTEMS ASSISTANCE (CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEMS), COURT SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND REFERRALS FOR VICTIMS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER STALKING, SEXUAL ASSUALT AND/OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN A SECURE AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT. ADVOCACY ALLOWS VICTIMS TO IDENTIFY OPTIONS; DEVELOP SAFETY PLANS; RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH TEMPORARY PROTECTION ORDERS; AND ACQUIRE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS. CONFIDENTIAL VICTIM ADVOCATES ALSO PROVIDE 24/7 HOSPITAL RESPONSE.
  3. $370,082 spent. HOUSING FIRST PROGRAM: TESSA ASSISTS DVSA AND HT VICTIMS IN MEETING THEIR LONG-TERM HOUSING NEEDS BY PROVIDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, MOVING ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY HOUSING, AND/OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
  4. $294,508 spent. COUNSELING PROGRAM: PROGRAM STAFF PROVIDES CLINICAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER STALKING, SEXUAL ASSUALT AND/OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING. TESSA'S COUNSELORS, SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO TREAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES THAT RESULT FROM THESE TYPES OF VIOLENCE, PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY; PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. THESE SERVICES ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO WORK ON SELF-ESTEEM, PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND ASSIST IN GOAL SETTING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING.
  5. $249,931 spent. RURAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM: TO IMPROVE SERVICE ACCESS FOR VICTIMS LOCATED IN ISOLATED RURAL AREAS, TESSA OPERATES IN TELLER COUNTY AND EASTERN EL PASO COUNTY. FULL-TIME ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE IN BOTH COMMUNITIES. A STAFF THERAPIST SPLITS TIME BETWEEN THE TWO. CONFIDENTIAL ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND COUNSELING ARE PROVIDED, WHILE CLIENTS WHO REQUIRE SHELTER ARE REFERRED TO TESSA'S SAFEHOUSE PROGRAM IN COLORADO SPRINGS.
  6. $369,748 spent. LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM: TESSA ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL ADVOCATES ASSIST DVSA VICTIMS TO OBTAIN TEMPORARY PROTECTION ORDERS, WITH FAMILY LAW MATTERS, AND WITH REFERRALS TO PERMANENT PROTECTION ORDER REPRESENTATION THROUGH OUR PROJECT LIFT PROGRAM AND NETWORK OF PRO BONO ATTORNEYS.
  7. $215,243 spent. YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THERAPEUTIC AND NON-THERAPEUTIC SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE WITNESSED AND/OR BEEN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE THERAPY; PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL/AGE-APPROPRIATE SUPPORT GROUPS; CASE MANAGEMENT; CHILD-SPECIFIC ADVOCACY; AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
  8. $261,888 spent. DC SAFEHOUSEDHSDVFBOUTREACH

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? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 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 July 1978.

    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.

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