An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
Organization Mission
We are a New Jersey non-profit bringing free clothing to those in need, utilizing donations of gently used garments to lessen the environmental strain on landfills.
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Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 96%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
Nick's Hope Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Accountability & Finance methodology due to only having one year of electronically-filed IRS Form 990 data.
To ensure year-to-year consistency the Encompass Rating System's Accountability & Finance beacon analyzes the three-year average of some data provided through the IRS 990.
Charity Navigator currently only has one year of consecutive e-filed Forms 990 from the IRS for Nick's Hope Inc. under the EIN: 85-1221235.
Before Charity Navigator can evaluate Nick's Hope Inc., Nick's Hope Inc. will need to e-file for additional fiscal years.
Revenue and expense data is not available for this organization. This data is only available if this organization has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last $six years.
Salary of Key Persons - No Data Available
No Data Available
Salary of Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last 3 years. In some cases, there may be an electronically-filed 990 on file but the nonprofit may have not included the information and therefore we cannot post it.
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
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)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance 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 (Nick's Hope Inc.) or EIN (851221235) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Score
96
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
$71,659 total costs / $217,147 worth of goods distributed = roughly $0.33 provides a dollar's worth of essential goods to someone in need
Program Context
Mobile Free Clothing: The program directly distributes goods that fulfill the basic needs of its beneficiaries.
Data Time Period
1/1/24 to 12/31/24
Benchmark for Scoring
Impact scores of goods provision programs are based on comparing the cost to distribute the goods against the market value of those goods. Programs receive an Impact score of 100 if the cost to distribute goods is less than 75% of the value of those goods and a score of 80 if it is less than 125%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65. The nonprofit provides goods for less than 75% the market value of the goods.
Methodology
This impact score was determined through the Goods Provision methodology which is fully detailed in the Charity Navigator Guide to Ratings. Analysis conducted in 2025 by Charity Navigator using data submitted by the nonprofit, theory and evidence from scientific research studies, and public datasets.
Data Source
The nonprofit submitted cost data along with the composition and market value of the goods it distributed.
Measurement
83 out of 100 points
25% of Impact & Measurement score
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
The Measuring Outcomes assessment evaluates how well a charity tracks progress towards its mission's outcomes.
Displayed below are the responses provided by the charity for the Measuring Outcomes assessment. Each question is designed to address specific criteria, with responses eligible for full, partial, or no credit. Please refer to the scoring rubric for details on how responses are scored.
Selected program: Unique OnLine Free Thrift Clothing & delivery program for NJ Families in need., Submitted February 2025
Program Planning and Design
21 out of 21 points
This section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.
Charity leadership uses information collected to make decisions regarding programs
Agree, uses information collected to improve programs
Charity has shared understanding across staff of how programs lead to the goals a program achieves
Agree, has universal understanding of how programs achieve goals
Charity has documents and reviews how program activities lead to change
Agree, documents and reviews
Charity revisits how program activities lead to change
Agree, does revisit how program activities lead to change
Program Development
14 out of 28 points
This section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.
Charity identifies program target population needs in the following ways
Discussions or surveys with target population on how program activities best serve their needs
Charity considers practical, cultural, and political needs and interests of those served by program
Disagree, did not review the practical, cultural, or political needs of those served
Charity uses SMART Goals
Agree, identified Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) goals
Data Collection and Analysis
17 out of 21 points
This section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.
Charity tracks program information in the following ways
Collects data before a program is initiated
Collects data during program implementation
Collects data when a program is complete
Charity collects programmatic information on those served by the program in the following ways
Identifies the number of those served by program
Identifies the number of those successfully served by the program
Charity assesses program effectiveness at multiple points in time
Agree, collects information before and after a program is implemented
Reporting and Distribution of Results
21 out of 21 points
This section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.
Charity reports program results to key stakeholders
Reports results to stakeholders
Charity reports both favorable and unfavorable results
Yes, charity reports both favorable of unfavorable results
Use of Results
10 out of 10 points
This section assesses the use of results to guide learning.
Charity uses program results to inform future work for the following reasons
Sustain and secure funding
Inform strategic planning
Improve program operations
Understand the impact of their work
Inform how we create future programs
Culture & Community
Not Currently Scored
Nick's Hope Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Culture & Community methodology because we have not received data from the charity regarding its Constituent Feedback or Equity Practices strategies.
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.
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.
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission.
Nick's Hope is a New Jersey nonprofit bringing free clothing to those in need, utilizing donations of gently used garments to lessen the environmental strain on landfills. After cleaning and repurposing, these clothes support individuals facing disadvantage or transition. Our discreet online free store and mobile pop-up events provide a dignified shopping experience. We spread hope sustainably, one piece of clothing at a time.
Vision Statement
10 out of 10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's vision.
What sets Nick’s Hope apart from other clothing donation charities is the
autonomy it provides for clients. Instead of handing those in need a bag
of hand me downs, the clients can peruse options and choose the sizes, colors
and styles they like from available inventory. At Nick’s Hope we feel that
to experience dignity and agency over one’s choices, even choices as
simple as whether a shirt is right, provides an immeasurable sense
of hope and purpose to people’s lives.
Strategic Goals
20 out of 20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Nick's Hope is looking to expand our online free clothing program to give access to even more NJ families in need.
Goal Two: Shifting our focus on expanding our online free clothing program to families will allow us to grow our reach & accessibility. This shift will require us to scale back our monthly popup events.
Goal Three: We are adding more and more social service partners where we are a direct resource for them to refer their clients. This increase in clients served will require additional financial support and internal staffing/management.
Leadership
30 out of 30 points
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Investment in Leadership Development
15 out of 15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development.
Mentorship and Coaching Programs
Leadership Conferences and Networking Events
External Focus on Mobilizing Mission
15 out of 15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Collaborative Engagement
Social Promotion
Adaptability
30 out of 30 points
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Adaptability Statement
30 out of 30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Strategic Planning Revisions
Organizational Restructuring
Operational Changes/Flexibility
Programmatic Shifts
Partnerships & Collaborations
Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Policy Engagement