Down Home

What it reported doing in 2025

Entering housing is an important step in the journey of emerging from homelessness, yet four walls are not enough to solve the problem. Down home (dh) helps end the cycle of homelessness by creating homes and a community where families and individuals find comfort, dignity, stability, and connection. In 2025, the dh team served 55 new families and individuals, a 34% increase from 2024, impacting 137 men, women, and children. This was made possible through the dedication of 552 volunteers and the generosity of 988 donors. Our commitment to operational excellence led to scaling our team to 7 full-time employees to meet the rising demand for our program operations. The impact of down home's work is reflected in the voices of whose whom we serve. In 2025, 100% of clients reported that down home provided their family with security, comfort, community connection, and relief from financial stressors. All our clients face significant financial challenges, with 100% living below the poverty threshold. Additionally, 90% have an annual income of less than $35,000, and 85% have experienced domestic violence, mental health struggles, and/or substance abuse as a past trauma or catalyst for homelessness. Our commitment extends beyond move-in day. During the first year after their home reveal and beyond, we maintain intentional communication and provide ongoing support to those welcomed into the down home family. These resources include partnerships that provide a year of free internet, birthday celebration packages, transportation support, and an annual christmas celebration. Down home remains dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness by ensuring that every person we serve finds not just a house, but a home and a community that supports their journey to stability and self-sufficiency.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 72.6%; rating input score 73
• Program expense ratio: 79.3%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $17.79 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 88.9%; rating input score 89; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 8.9%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.98; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.8%; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 24.6% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 23.5% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 31.7% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings