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Street Roots

EIN 93-1271399 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STREET ROOTS CREATES INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY BY PRODUCING A NEWSPAPER AND OTHER MEDIA THAT ARE CATALYSTS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
25
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$106,176, executive di

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: 31 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $2.0 million spent. VENDOR PROGRAM- STREET ROOTS VENDOR PROGRAM ENGAGED WITH 380 VENDORS, AND TOGETHER THEY SOLD AN AVERAGE OF 5,250 PAPERS PER WEEK FOR 273,000 PAPERS FOR THE YEAR.. VENDORS RECEIVED LOW BARRIER ACCESS TO INCOME, AS WELL AS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION WITH STREET ROOTS. IN ADDITION TO EARNING INCOME, VENDORS ALSO OBTAINED RESOURCE NAVIGATION TO NEEDED SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY; ACCESSED BASIC NEEDS ITEMS (TENTS, SOCKS, GLOVES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS); ENGAGED IN CONTINUED EDUCATION RELATED TO CREATIVE WRITING AND MEDIA; AND CO-CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEER SUPPORT. STREET ROOTS ALSO OPENED A SHOWER AND LAUNDRY FACILITY FOR VENDORS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VENDOR PROGRAM PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 200,000 ROSE CITY RESOURCE GUIDES, WHICH PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING INSTABILITY, CRISIS SERVICES, AND IMPACTS OF POVERTY. EDITORIAL PROGRAM - STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL PROGRAM PRODUCED A WEEKLY PAPER, OFFERING TRUSTED, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM TO RESIDENTS AROUND THE METRO REGION. THE STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL TEAM WERE RECOGNIZED THROUGH THE ANNUAL REGION 10 SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS, WITH STREET ROOTS' ILLUSTRATOR & DESIGNER, ETTA O'DONNELL-KING WINNING SECOND PLACE FOR PHOTO & DESIGN FOR SMALL/MEDIUM PUBLICATIONS. STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL STAFF HOSTED AND/OR CONTRIBUTED TO A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND EFFORTS TO EXPAND JOURNALISM EDUCATION, INCLUDING: ?PAID INTERNSHIPS AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS. ?PRESENTED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AT MULTIPLE CONFERENCES AIMED AT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. ?PRESENTED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS IN INDIVIDUAL CLASSROOMS. STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL STAFF ALSO PUBLISHED UNBIASED, NONPARTISAN INFORMATION TO ENABLE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE, WHERE TO CAST A BALLOT, WHAT WAS ON THE BALLOT, AS WELL AS REGULAR UPDATES ON LOCAL, COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT. ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT - STREET ROOT'S ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCCESSFULLY MOVED STAFF AND PROGRAMMING INTO OUR NEWLY PURCHASED AND RENOVATED BUILDING, CREATING NEW HYGIENE AND LAUNDRY SERVICES FOR VENDORS AS WELL AS INCREASING OUR PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. VENDOR PROGRAM- STREET ROOTS VENDOR PROGRAM ENGAGED WITH 380 VENDORS, AND TOGETHER THEY SOLD AN AVERAGE OF 5,250 PAPERS PER WEEK FOR 273,000 PAPERS FOR THE YEAR.. VENDORS RECEIVED LOW BARRIER ACCESS TO INCOME, AS WELL AS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION WITH STREET ROOTS. IN ADDITION TO EARNING INCOME, VENDORS ALSO OBTAINED RESOURCE NAVIGATION TO NEEDED SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY; ACCESSED BASIC NEEDS ITEMS (TENTS, SOCKS, GLOVES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS); ENGAGED IN CONTINUED EDUCATION RELATED TO CREATIVE WRITING AND MEDIA; AND CO-CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEER SUPPORT. STREET ROOTS ALSO OPENED A SHOWER AND LAUNDRY FACILITY FOR VENDORS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE VENDOR PROGRAM PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 200,000 ROSE CITY RESOURCE GUIDES, WHICH PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING INSTABILITY, CRISIS SERVICES, AND IMPACTS OF POVERTY. EDITORIAL PROGRAM - STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL PROGRAM PRODUCED A WEEKLY PAPER, OFFERING TRUSTED, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM TO RESIDENTS AROUND THE METRO REGION. THE STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL TEAM WERE RECOGNIZED THROUGH THE ANNUAL REGION 10 SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARDS, WITH STREET ROOTS' ILLUSTRATOR & DESIGNER, ETTA O'DONNELL-KING WINNING SECOND PLACE FOR PHOTO & DESIGN FOR SMALL/MEDIUM PUBLICATIONS. STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL STAFF HOSTED AND/OR CONTRIBUTED TO A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND EFFORTS TO EXPAND JOURNALISM EDUCATION, INCLUDING: ?PAID INTERNSHIPS AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS. ?PRESENTED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AT MULTIPLE CONFERENCES AIMED AT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS. ?PRESENTED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS IN INDIVIDUAL CLASSROOMS. STREET ROOTS EDITORIAL STAFF ALSO PUBLISHED UNBIASED, NONPARTISAN INFORMATION TO ENABLE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE, WHERE TO CAST A BALLOT, WHAT WAS ON THE BALLOT, AS WELL AS REGULAR UPDATES ON LOCAL, COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT. ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT - STREET ROOT'S ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCCESSFULLY MOVED STAFF AND PROGRAMMING INTO OUR NEWLY PURCHASED AND RENOVATED BUILDING, CREATING NEW HYGIENE AND LAUNDRY SERVICES FOR VENDORS AS WELL AS INCREASING OUR PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

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 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 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 May 2000.

    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.