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We Fortify

EIN 84-3045036 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LOW COST HOUSING FOR YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, AND ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO BE INDEPENDENT.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$695,128
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
3
Volunteers
28

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 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 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 154% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (housing, $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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $577,000 spent. WE FORTIFY'S WORKING FUSION AT MILL STREET EXISTS TO PIVOT YOUNG ADULTS OUT OF POVERTY INTO A STATE OF ECONOMIC AND EMOTIONAL STABILITY AND SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS. THIS VILLAGE AND PROGRAM IS A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND HOUSING INITIATIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS DEDICATED TO BREAKING THE CYCLE OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING SAFE DIGNIFIED HOUSING WITHIN A SMALL SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, INDIVIDUALIZED TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE THERAPIES, LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION, AND LIVING WAGE CAREER PLACEMENT. WE ARE A HOMELESS PREVENTION INITIATIVE. THIS IS GENERATIONAL SHIFT: ONE PERSON, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME. WORKING FUSION AT MILL STREET IS FOR YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 25 WHO: -WILL BENEFIT FROM CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ACCESS SUPPORT SERVICES -ARE ABLE AND MOTIVATED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT -OFTEN THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, ARE AT EXTREME RISK FOR BECOMING, HAVE BEEN, OR ARE SITUATIONALLY HOMELESS -HAVE THE DESIRE TO LIVE A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND INDEPENDENCE IN THE SHORT TIME SINCE WORKING FUSION LAUNCHED, OUR RESIDENTS ARE GROWING AND MOVING THEIR LIVES FORWARD.

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

  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 2024.

    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 December 2019.

    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.