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Sisters of the Road

EIN 93-0748169 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SISTERS OF THE ROAD EXISTS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND ALLEVIATE THE HUNGER OF ISOLATION IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF NONVIOLENCE AND GENTLE PERSONALISM NURTURING THE WHOLE INDIVIDUAL, WHILE SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO REACH THE ROOTS OF HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY TO END THEM FOREVER.

Income
$782,083
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$131,803, 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

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 82% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. OUR SYSTEMIC CHANGE TEAM DEVELOPS PROGRAMMING THAT SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS. WE ARE GROUPED IN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PEOPLE FROM OUR CUSTOMER COMMUNITY SHOULD BE LEADING THIS WORK IN ECONOMIC JUSTICE. WE PROVIDE FOLKS A SPACE AND THE AUTONOMY TO TAKE ON THESE LEADERSHIP ROLES. OUR PROGRAMMING INCLUDES CAMPAIGN, COALITION, AND FOOD JUSTICE WORK. ACTIVE CAMPAIGNS INCLUDE: RIGHT TO REST ACT LEGISLATION, EVICTION REPRESENTATION FOR ALL, ESD AUDIT RESPONSE PARTICIPATION. WE CONTINUE OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE FOLLOWING COALITIONS: STOP THE SWEEPS, PORTLAND HARBOR COMMUNITY COALITION, VILLAGE COALITION, WISDOM OF THE ELDERS, WELCOME HOME AND WESTERN REGIONAL ADVOCACY PROJECT. OUR FOOD JUSTICE PROGRAMMING CONTINUES WITH OUR FRESH CHANGE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORTLAND FARMERS.
  2. CAFE HOT MEALS/BARTER PROGRAM: SISTERS OF THE ROAD CAFE PROVIDES LOW COST MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HAVE LOW INCOMES, TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM. THE COST OF THE MEAL IS $1.50, WHICH MAY BE PAID FOR IN CASH, WITH THE OREGON TRAIL BENEFIT CARD, A MEAL COUPON, OR WITH CREDIT EARNED BY WORKING THROUGH THE HOT MEALS/BARTER PROGRAM IN THE CAFE. MEALS ARE SERVED FREE OF CHARGE TO THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY AND UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO AGE, HEALTH, OR PARENTING RESPONSIBILITIES. THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE CAFE IS ABLE TO SERVE THE FRESHEST FOOD POSSIBLE AND BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE IN ALL OF OUR PRACTICES.

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 February 1981.

    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.