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Second Chance Center Inc

EIN 90-0794239 · Aurora, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our goal is to help formerly incarcerated people transition to lives of success and fulfillment. We provide the formerly incarcerated, and their network, with education, resources, and support to successfully re-enter the community and cultivate a rewarding life.

Income
$11.0 million
Spending
$9.8 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
117
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$189,688, executive director

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $8.0 million spent. The mission of Second Chance Center (SCC) is to help formerly incarcerated individuals transition to lives of success and fulfillment. The individuals served by SCC often face significant barriers to stability, including mental illness, substance use disorders, trauma, limited employment history, and housing instability. Many individuals are released from incarceration with no stable housing, limited family support, and few resources to successfully reintegrate into the community.SCC provides a comprehensive reentry model that integrates care management, peer mentoring, behavioral health navigation, Continued on Schedule O...workforce development, and housing stabilization. At intake, client partners work with care managers to develop individualized life goals and service plans. SCC provides ongoing support to help individuals achieve stability, including access to basic needs such as food, clothing, transportation assistance, health care referrals, and employment services. SCC's model emphasizes "role-modeling possibilities," with many staff members having lived experience with the justice system and serving as mentors and guides for those navigating reentry.Stable housing is a cornerstone of SCC's reentry model. SCC operates a range of housing programs designed to support individuals at different stages of stability, including transitional housing, housing vouchers, affordable workforce and permanent supportive housing.Providence at the Heights, SCC's 50-unit permanent supportive housing community that opened in February 2020, provides long-term housing stability for individuals who have experienced both homelessness and justice involvement. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, all available units were fully occupied, serving more than 60 residents with supportive services designed to promote long-term stability and independence.Building on the success of Providence at the Heights, SCC recently completed development of Residences on Acoma, a 128-unit affordable housing community in Denver that includes 60 permanent supportive housing units and 68 affordable workforce housing units. This development significantly expands housing opportunities for justice-involved individuals and others experiencing housing instability while integrating supportive services that promote long-term success.Through this integrated housing and supportive services model, SCC helps individuals stabilize their lives, secure employment, reconnect with family and community, and build pathways toward long-term independence and fulfillment.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.