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Desens House Inc

EIN 84-3163618 · Oswego, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 47% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

We believe in the power of transforming lives through hope and healing we are a faith-based, community driven model of recovery dedicated to transforming and restoring broken lives. Our vision is to set generations free from addiction one life at a time.

Income
$203,307
Spending
$218,844
Spent on programs
47%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
8

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

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    47% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $50,000 spent. This is the organization's flagship program, providing a safe, stable, and drug-free living environment for women in early recovery. social isolation and stigma by providing over 7,800 free community meals and hosting 104 wellness During Fiscal Year 2025 The Desens House successfully operated three primary programs centered on recovery, community, and receive 24/7 peer support, a structured daily schedule, and access to a community-focused environment designed to foster 26,186 The program covers 100% of room and board for participants, removing the immediate financial barrier to sobriety. Residents
  2. $16,500 spent. Community Engagement: Hosted 52 weekly craft events and over 52 fitness/mindfulness sessions throughout the year. Social Impact: Created a consistent, safe space for individuals in all stages of recovery to build social capital and peer networks, which are critical long-term behavioral change. Persons Benefited: Provided long-term residential housing to 6 women. Outcomes: Successfully 102,686 program focuses on building supportive relationships and reducing the stigma of recovery through "low-stakes, low-barrier"
  3. $26,186 spent. RECOVERY DEDICATED TO TRANSFORMING AND RESTORING BROKEN LIVES self-sufficiency. The flagship Residential Recovery & Housing Program provided a stable, drug-free environment for six advanced recovery housing. Complementing this, the Recovery Community & Low-Barrier Outreach initiative addressed This is the organization's flagship program, providing a safe, stable, and drug-free living environment for women in early recovery. social isolation and stigma by providing over 7,800 free community meals and hosting 104 wellness
  4. $5,000 spent. SHINEMAN FRANT COVERED COMMUNITY MEALS AND PROGRAM EXPENDERS
  5. $5,000 spent. WOMENS FUND ALLOWS FOR PROGRAM SPACE RENTAL AND MATERIAL FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS. GRANT RUNS FROM AUGUST 2026 TO AUGUST 2027

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2022.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 September 2022.

    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 November 4, 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.