Ford Street Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Ford Street Project provides shelter, housing, substance abuse treatment and employment services to the homeless, addicted, and disabled in Mendocino County.
- Income
- $7.2 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $122,107, 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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 77% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% 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
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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 (3)
- $2.1 million spent. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROGRAMS Ukiah Recovery Center located at 201 Brush Street, provides a state licensed and certified substance use disorder residential treatment facility for up to 40 co-ed clients participating in Detoxification (3+ days) and/or Residential Treatment (1-6+ months) services, as well as a 22 bed, co-ed, Sober Living Environment. Outpatient Treatment Program provides state licensed individual and group counseling for individuals seeking assistance with substance abuse issues.
- $754,892 spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS Unity Village provides 12 permanent family housing apartments, with case management to families including those, whom may be transitioning from homelessness, receiving supportive services, low income, recipients of select vouchers and/or private pay. Garden Court provides 10 permanent housing apartments, with case management to individuals/adults including those, whom may be transitioning from homelessness, receiving behavioral health supportive services, low income, recipients of select vouchers and/or private pay. Family Emergency Shelter Families provides a year-round emergency shelter for 10 families, whom are clean and sober, work ready and willing to participate in a vocational program for 20 hours a week to help maintain their living space and grow their skill sets while also actively engaging in supportive services. The purpose of this program is not to only meet the participants immediate need of housing but also grow the participants ability to become more self sufficient.
- $510,888 spent. FOOD BANK Provides weekly and emergency food distributions and distributes monthly USDA commodities to approximately 747 households/1443 community members per month.
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 December 1982.
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.