We Hope
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME HEALTHY, EMPLOYED, AND HOUSED USING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, BY PROVIDING SERVICES LIKE MOBILE HYGIENE, CASE MANAGEMENT, JOB TRAINING, AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE BAY AREA.
- Income
- $13.7 million
- Spending
- $11.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 63%
- Employees
- 186
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $226,872, chief executive officer/founder
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 53% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 52% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 11 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $9.5 million spent. WEHOPE HELPS UNHOUSED, HOMELESS AND THOSE AT-RISK IN REBUILDING THEIR LIVES THROUGH A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM CUSTOMIZED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. WEHOPE'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE: MOBILE HOMELESS SERVICES:DIGNITY ON WHEELS (DOW), A MOBILE HYGIENE SERVICE, PROVIDES FREE SHOWERS, RESTROOM/TOILET SERVICES AND LAUNDRY SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA. VEHICLE SAFE PARKING PROVIDES SAFE OVERNIGHT PARKING, TOILETS, SHOWERS, LAUNDRY SERVICES, MEALS AND COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO ASSIST IN SECURING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION.EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER:WEHOPE SHELTER IS A 24-HOUR FACILITY LOCATED IN EAST PALO ALTO THAT PROVIDES EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOT MEALS, SHELTER BEDS, ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE, HOT SHOWERS, LAUNDRY SERVICE, TRANSPORTATION AND COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT. FAMILY HARVEST PROVIDES FREE HEALTHY FOOD TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED.JOB TRAINING & LIFE SKILLS:HOPE JOBS PROVIDES JOB TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DIGNIFIED EMPLOYMENT AND A LIVABLE WAGE TO THOSE FACING UNDEREMPLOYMENT OR UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA. HOPE JOBS PROVIDES FREE CERTIFICATION COURSES TAUGHT BY NATIONALLY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS WITHIN THEIR PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY. DIGNITY @WORK IS A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM THAT HELPS THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION INTO SOCIETY WITH PROPER EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND RESOURCES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 May 2000.
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.