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Human Services : Children's and Family Services

Families Forward

Dignity. Empowerment. Hope.

four stars

98.05

8 Thomas Irvine, CA 92618
tel: (949) 552-2727   Web Site
EIN: 33-0086043

Board Leadership
Gary Cohn
President

CEO
Madelynn Hirneise
CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 98.05 four stars
  Financial 97.25 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 03/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Families Forward was founded in 1984 by a group of dedicated community members who shared the same vision of providing supported housing programs for families in crisis. Families Forward assists families in financial crisis to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. We do not just provide support; we supply the tools for families to move from depending upon public services to return to being independent, productive residents of the community. At Families Forward, we give families renewed self-confidence and the tools they need to succeed in life. Last year, Families Forward assisted over 6,000 individuals through housing, counseling, food, referrals, school supplies, career coaching, and other services.

Families Forward was founded in 1984 by a group of dedicated community members who shared the same vision of providing supported housing programs for families in crisis. Families Forward assists families in financial crisis to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. We do not just provide support; we supply the tools for families to move from depending upon public services to return to being independent, productive residents of the community. At Families Forward, we give families renewed self-confidence and the tools they need to succeed in life. Last year, Families Forward assisted over 6,000 individuals through housing, counseling, food, referrals, school supplies, career coaching, and other services.

Impact Information

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GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Showing 3 of 5
Total in 2018
Number of households that obtain/retain permanent housing for at least 6 months
233
Number of children and youth who have received access to stable housing
349
Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid
6,530
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
79
Total number of counseling sessions performed
471
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of August 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

97.25

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 03/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 89.2%
  Administrative Expenses 5.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 5.5%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.05
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.56
  Program Expenses Growth 9.8%
  Liabilities to Assets 8.3%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Families Forward on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Families Forward on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Families Forward (CA) 98.05 four stars
Center for Child & Family Services (VA) 90.24 four stars
Jack & Jill Children's Center (FL) 89.70 three stars
Margaret Hudson Program (OK) 85.31 three stars
Shepherd's Gate (CA) 90.65 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $3,221,540
   Federated Campaigns $105,012
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $535,924
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $1,136,620
Total Contributions $4,999,096
   Program Service Revenue $209,713
Total Primary Revenue $5,208,809
   Other Revenue $829,967
TOTAL REVENUE $6,038,776
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $4,506,287
   Administrative Expenses $261,570
   Fundraising Expenses $275,149
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $5,043,006
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $995,770
   
Net Assets $11,916,540

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Housing Program $3,000,391 66.6%
Homeless Prevention & Community Services Program $1,505,896 33.4%

Ratings History
Families Forward has received 10 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-09 03/01/2020 98.05 four stars
2017-09 02/01/2019 100.00 four stars
2016-09 03/01/2018 99.82 four stars
2015-09 12/21/2016 99.51 four stars
2015-09 12/01/2016 97.13 four stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 97.13 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 11/01/2015 96.45 four stars
2013-09 12/01/2014 94.54 four stars
2012-09 11/01/2013 97.02 four stars
2011-09 11/06/2012 99.10 four stars
2010-09 04/01/2012 99.18 four stars
2010-09 09/20/2011 97.05 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 07/01/2010 98.71 four stars
2008-09 10/01/2009 81.72 three stars
2007-09 10/01/2008 84.63 three stars
2006-09 06/01/2007 93.45 four stars
2005-09 09/01/2006 93.16 four stars
2004-09 10/01/2005 85.76 three stars
2003-09 10/01/2004 93.00 four stars
2002-09 02/01/2004 95.36 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 33-0086043
Name in IRS Master File FAMILIES FORWARD
NTEE Code [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (320) Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
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).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date October, 1985
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$165,400 3.27% Margaret Wakeham Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Families Forward (CA) 98.05 four stars
New Moms (IL) 92.24 four stars
National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section (NY) 89.37 three stars
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Monmouth County (NJ) 93.62 four stars
Families First (GA) 88.33 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Families Forward
8 Thomas
Irvine, CA 92618
tel: (949) 552-2727
EIN: 33-0086043

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Gary Cohn
President

CEO

Madelynn Hirneise
CEO

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