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69 GROVE ST
Worcester MA 01605-2600
Worcester MA | IRS ruling year: 1991 | EIN: 04-3098024
VETERANS INC. IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A WIDE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FA ... (More)
VETERANS INC. IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A WIDE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND IS THE LARGEST ONE-STOP VETERANS HOUSING, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM IN NEW ENGLAND. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Veterans Inc. is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Veterans Inc. has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 7/9 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 7/9 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 39.45% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 39.45% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 94.23% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 94.23% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Other inner city or community benefit activities (BMF activity code: 429)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Veterans Inc.) or EIN (043098024) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Veterans Inc. reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Revenue
Staffing
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Veterans Inc.'s total revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased by 26%, with our most affected revenue stream being foundation donations. Additionally, our inpatient clinic revenue decreased by 50%, and voluntary hours decreased by 90%.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
The needs of veterans in the community have only increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a surge of people seeking emergency housing, rental assistance, support for substance use and mental health disorders, and employment/training services. Veterans Inc. has also faced an increase in expenses stemming from the need to purchase PPE, cleaning supplies, facility cleaning/sanitizing services, hotels for clients requiring isolation, and additional staffing costs to support the provision of services across the system. the COVID-19 pandemic affected any aspect of your program offerings.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Veterans Inc. has implemented rigorous safety and security protocols including augmented cleaning/disinfecting procedures, PPE requirements, and social distancing where applicable. Additionally, Veterans Inc. has branched out into utilizing hotels for homeless clients who needed to isolate/quarantine during the pandemic.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Veterans Inc. integrated nursing and clinical staff into services in order to better coordinate client health services/referrals, which will remain as a best practice to provide on-site healthcare.
Not Currently Scored
Veterans Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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Veterans Inc. reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
THE OUTREACH AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM SERVES VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS, AND OFFERS TRAINING, THERAPEUTIC GROUP SESSIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, BENEFITS COUNSELING AN ... (More)
THE OUTREACH AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM SERVES VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS, AND OFFERS TRAINING, THERAPEUTIC GROUP SESSIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, BENEFITS COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING. THE PROGRAM WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, INCLUDING THE VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN WORCESTER, AS WELL AS OTHER VETERANS AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM RECEIVING CRITICAL SERVICES. THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE FOR CLIENTS TO IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND RESIDENTIAL STABILITY, INCREASE THEIR SKILL LEVEL OR INCOME, AND ACHIEVE GREATER SELF-DETERMINATION. SUPPORT SERVICES TO VETERAN FAMILIES FOCUS ON HOUSING STABILIZATION AND MAY INCLUDE TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES OBTAIN OR REMAIN IN HOUSING. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM PROVIDES PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL CARE THAT HELPS VETERANS AND NON-VETERANS DEVELOP COPING MECHANISMS AND SUPPORTS REINTEGRATION INTO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNIT ... (More)
THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM PROVIDES PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL CARE THAT HELPS VETERANS AND NON-VETERANS DEVELOP COPING MECHANISMS AND SUPPORTS REINTEGRATION INTO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. VETERANS INC. OPERATES INDEPENDENCE HALL, THE FIRST (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS OBTAIN AND RETAIN JOBS SO THEY CAN STABILIZE THEIR LIVES. VETERANS RECEIVE JOB COUNSELING, SUPPORT SERVICES, TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION ... (More)
THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS OBTAIN AND RETAIN JOBS SO THEY CAN STABILIZE THEIR LIVES. VETERANS RECEIVE JOB COUNSELING, SUPPORT SERVICES, TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION SERVICES. EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS OF (Less)
Veterans Inc. has earned a 93% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
The veterans and families we serve have definitely expressed positive feedback towards our outreach - many have said that their input has led directly to making resources/key contacts more accesible.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don't have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Implementing more online forms and telehealth access to assist with social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 90/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 90/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 90 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 7 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (3/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (4/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Veterans Inc. has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
To be there for our veterans and their families in their time of need with the ultimate goal to end homelessness among veterans. To help our veterans regain self-sufficiency through the provision of holistic supportive services, including housing, employment and training, case management, food security, health and wellness, family support programs, women and child care services, and behavioral health care.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
A world where every veteran achieves stability in their lives; and where every one recognizes the service and sacrifice that veterans and their families have made, recognize that veterans have earned the respect and gratitude of our nation, and fully acknowledge that "They were there when we needed them. We must be there now that they need us."
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: To further address the opiate epidemic, Veterans Inc. plans to add inpatient detoxification services with medical supervision and nursing care to help individuals safely withdraw from substances.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Two: Implement a stronger performance management system to better track performance outcomes in the aggregate, create more efficient operations, and overall improve quality of services.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Create a one-stop Veterans Resource Center where veterans and their families can have various needs addressed, as well as improve living conditions for veterans at our headquarter site in Worcester.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Veterans Inc. invests in its future leaders and established the Junior Executive Council (JEC). The mission of the JEC is to establish a peer support network to create an innovative and collaborative environment that promotes engagement and professional advancement. Though open to all, the focus is on Employees who have recently graduated (within 5 years) from a bachelor/master program or Employees currently enrolled in a bachelor/master program and pursuing an advanced degree.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Veterans Inc. partners with many organizations to provide affiliate care. For example, partnership with Column Health provides an efficient and responsive way for clients to obtain Medication Assisted Treatment onsite, through telehealth appointments and mobile clinic. The agency President and CEO as well as the Executive Director and other staff engage through conference presentations, community events. Staff are active participants in local Continuums of Care in which the agency operates and in many areas the lead agency for Veterans Committees at these regular meetings of multiple service providers. Additionally, leadership engages at the local, state, and national levels to advocate on behalf of clients served.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Veterans Inc. quickly adapted and implemented protocols to ensure the health and safety of staff and clients being served. We hired nursing and clinical staff to provide needed continuity and surge support for mental health and substance use treatment services, and general medical care. We adopted a pre-registration and time slots for client service events to include the Stand Down Resource Fair where veterans and their family members were able to access a multitude of resources all in a short period of time. All participants and staff of residential and inpatient programs continue to wear masks and social distance. A Plan was developed to reduce virus spread. The Plan formalizes the safety and security procedures put in place to protect staff and residents. Under state guidelines for congregate care settings, Veterans Inc. facilitated surveillance testing as well as organized testing of close contacts when there was a positive case. Working with state and federal partners, Veterans Inc. facilitated access for staff, clients and key volunteers to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Veterans Inc. ensures that safety and cleanliness are maintained to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. Supplies have been adequately provided as well as new laundry machines and professional cleaning and sanitizing services. Partitions to separate beds and sneeze guards/physical barriers have been added. We have provided information on how viruses are transmitted, strongly promote the practice of healthy hygiene habits among staff and veterans residing in our homeless programs and provide information on handwashing and cough etiquette, use of cloth face coverings, and social distancing. Entry to facilities is limited to staff, volunteers, and any required service providers. In order to respond to isolation and quarantine, hotels have been used for homeless clients when necessary. Ipads and laptops were used for clients that needed to access telehealth.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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