Community Forward Sf Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Community Forward SF's support services create pathways from crisis to long-term stability through our Women's Wellness Pathway, a proven continuum linking a 24/7 drop-in center, shelter, transitional housing, behavioral health care, and flexible financial assistance for permanent housing.
- Income
- $18.5 million
- Spending
- $18.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 96%
- Employees
- 178
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $240,755, cfo to co-ceo (trans 10/24)
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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 95% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $5.3 million spent. Medical Respite and Sobering Center:Community Forward SF's Medical Respite and Sobering Center offers short-term, compassionate care for individuals experiencing homelessness. In partnership with the SF Department of Public Health, Medical Respite provides a safe space to recover from illness or injury with access to medical care and wraparound support. The Sobering Center offers a supervised environment for individuals facing addiction and homelessness to safely detox and stabilize. While sobriety is not required, we provide tools, counseling, and referrals for those seeking long-term recovery. Both programs reduce ER visits and interactions with police and EMS, saving city resources and connecting participants to long-term care and housing. Respite beds cost less than 10% of a hospital stay, providing a cost-effective and humane alternative for some of the city's most medically vulnerable residents.
- $5.5 million spent. A Woman's Place Drop-In Center:A Woman's Place Drop-In Center (AWP) is a low-barrier, trauma-informed space rooted in dignity, compassion, and care. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, AWP offers women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or other systemic challenges a safe and welcoming environment where their needs are met with respect and cultural humility. The Center provides immediate necessities-such as respite, food, showers, and hygiene supplies-alongside deeper support through case management, housing navigation, clinical services, and peer-led groups. AWP is not just a refuge, but a community hub where women can reconnect to themselves and others, shape the programming they want to see, and take steps toward healing and stability on their own terms.
- $1.9 million spent. Housing Subsidy Programs:In partnership with the City of San Francisco's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), we offer two housing subsidy programs to support trans individuals, gender-nonconforming people, and women in securing permanent supportive housing: Ending Trans Homelessness and Women's Flex. These initiatives will provide stable housing for up to 112 people annually, offering a critical lifeline to those most in need.Through these programs, Community Forward has built a strong team and forged key partnerships with landlords across the city to expand access to safe, stable housing. Participants receive case management, health referrals, and support securing stable housing-including help with housing searches, rental subsidies, barrier removal funds, and landlord mediation. A Women's Place Shelter & Transitioning Housing:A Woman's Place Transitional Housing Program offers women experiencing homelessness a safe, supportive, and structured environment where they can begin to rebuild their lives with stability and purpose. Rooted in trauma-informed and person-centered care, the program provides longer-term housing and wraparound services to help participants heal from trauma and work toward goals they define for themselves. Residents receive individualized case management, clinical support, and access to life-skills workshops, wellness programming, and housing navigation. At AWP, women are not only housed-they are heard, supported, and empowered to lead their own paths forward.
- $2.7 million spent. Permanent Supportive Housing:Community Forward SF recognizes that homelessness is deeply isolating and traumatic-and that the need for support doesn't end once someone is housed. That's why we operate two permanent supportive housing sites-Coronado Housing and Eddy Street Apartments-designed for individuals facing complex barriers to stability. Our programs combine long-term housing with trauma-informed services, including mental health care, crisis intervention, substance use referrals, benefits counseling, employment support, and access to food resources. We meet people where they are, offering stability and care so they can heal, build community, and define their own goals in a place they can finally call home.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.