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Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc

EIN 86-0500753 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Organizations mission is to prevent and end homelessness among individuals and families while advancing compassionate community solutions.

Income
$10.8 million
Spending
$11.3 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
134
Volunteers
1,250
Highest pay
$188,788, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 June 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 (6)
  1. $4.3 million spent. CASS SINGLE ADULT SHELTER PROVIDES SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR SINGLE ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. SERVICES INCLUDE ACCESS TO CASE MANAGEMENT, BEDS, SHOWERS, CLOTHING, AND HYGIENE ITEMS-ALL AT NO COST TO RECIPIENTS. THIS FISCAL YEAR CASS PROVIDED 252,396 NIGHTS OF SHELTER TO 3,741 UNDUPLICATED SINGLE ADULTS. ALL PEOPLE SERVED HAVE ACCESS TO CASS PROGRESSIVE ENGAGEMENT CASE MANAGEMENT DESIGNED TO ENGAGE INDIVIDUALS IN ORDER TO EMPOWER THEM TO END THEIR HOMELESSNESS. OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE INCLUDE RAPID RE-HOUSING SERVICES, RENT AND UTILITY DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, EVICTION PREVENTION, AND EASY ACCESS TO OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY ON-CAMPUS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, DENTAL CARE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND MUCH MORE).
  2. $1.7 million spent. THE HAVEN SENIOR SHELTER PROVIDES LOW-BARRIER, NON-CONGREGATE EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR ADULTS AGED 55 AND OLDER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WITH A FOCUS ON THOSE FACING MEDICAL, MOBILITY, AND HOUSING CHALLENGES. THE 130-UNIT FACILITY OFFERS AGE-APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATIONS AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP CLIENTS NAVIGATE HOUSING BARRIERS AND CONNECT WITH HEALTHCARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, LEGAL, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES. DESIGNED TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND COMMUNITY, THE HAVEN USES A TRAUMA-INFORMED, CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH AND INCLUDES PROGRAMMING TO REDUCE ISOLATION AND FOSTER SOCIAL CONNECTION AMONG RESIDENTS.
  3. $1.2 million spent. CASS PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGH THE FAMILY HAVEN SHELTER (ALSO KNOWN AS VISTA COLINA). SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, ACCESS TO BEDS, SHOWERS, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND HYGIENE ITEMS AT NO COST TO RECIPIENTS. THIS FISCAL YEAR, SHELTER WAS PROVIDED TO 287 UNDUPLICATED PARENTS/ ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS AND CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 65 FAMILIES SERVED. THROUGH OUR CASE MANAGEMENT, WE ASSIST FAMILIES IN ENDING THEIR HOMELESSNESS AND REGAINING THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  4. $491,116 spent. CASS PROVIDES HOUSING PLACEMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING RAPID RE-HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AS WELL AS ASSISTING WITH EVICTION PREVENTION FUNDS FOR BOTH SINGLE ADULTS AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. CASS ALSO PROVIDES HOUSING SERVICES AND ONE-TIME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING RENT, DEPOSITS FOR RENT AND UTILITIES, PAYING BILLS IN ARREARS, AND ONGOING HOUSING-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. ACROSS ALL CASS PROGRAMS, IN FY 2025, 1,103 PEOPLE EXITED TO A PERMANENT HOUSING DESTINATION.
  5. $256,708 spent. THE CASS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM IS A LICENSED OUTPATIENT COUNSELING CENTER THAT PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN CASS SHELTERS. OPERATING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AHCCCS, THE PROGRAM PRIORITIZES CLIENTS AGED 55 AND OLDER AND THOSE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. SERVICES INCLUDE SCREENINGS, ASSESSMENTS, TREATMENT PLANNING, COUNSELING, CARE COORDINATION, AND DISCHARGE PLANNING, ALL AIMED AT RECONNECTING CLIENTS WITH COMMUNITY PROVIDERS, IMPROVING ACCESS TO ENTITLEMENTS, AND SUPPORTING HOUSING STABILITY. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE GAP BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS BY OFFERING TEMPORARY, ONSITE SUPPORT TO REDUCE DISENGAGEMENT AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM WELLNESS.
  6. $114,584 spent. THE NORTON AND RAMSEY SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT CENTER (NREC) IS A COMMUNITY HUB IN GLENDALE SERVING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE WEST VALLEY WHO ARE AT RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH TRAUMA-INFORMED OUTREACH, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOUSING NAVIGATION, AND STABILIZATION SERVICES, NREC SUPPORTS CLIENTS ACROSS ALL STAGES OF HOUSING INSTABILITY. SERVICES INCLUDE COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENTS, EMERGENCY REFERRALS, BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT, AND ADVOCACY TO ADDRESS BARRIERS SUCH AS HOUSING ACCESS, HEALTHCARE, INCOME, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT. OPERATING A 24/7 RESOURCE LINE AND COLLABORATING WITH NUMEROUS LOCAL PARTNERS, NREC AIMS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS DURATION, PROMOTE EQUITY, AND BUILD CLIENT SELF-RELIANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 October 1985.

    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.