Sojourner Truth House Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Sojourner Truth House is a day center for homeless and at-risk women and their children in Gary, Indiana, which provides the basic necessities for daily survival, life skills training, resource referrals and ongoing support to prevent repeating the cycles of addiction and homelessness. The center is sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) and receives management services from Ancilla Domini Sisters (ADS). A demographic composite of the disenfranchised women served indicates that an estimated 65% of the homeless women seeking help at Sojourner Truth House and 35% of the walk-in women from the community who participate in support services, suffer from mental illness, substance abuse and/or addiction. All the women seeking assistance have extreme needs and have reached the very bottom of life. Ethnically and racially diverse, the women come from all faiths and educational backgrounds. Over 90% of the women served represent African American and Hispanic populations. The women are of all ages. They have frequently been victims of domestic violence and bear the marks of physical and/or emotional abuse. These high risk factors coupled with homelessness, result in unemploy- ment and limited or no sources of income. The need for assistance is critical. Sojourner Truth House currently serves on average more than 2,000 clients per month. Women come to Sojourner Truth House straight off the street or they are picked up by van from nearby homeless shelters. Sojourner Truth House provides various support groups, counseling, individualized goal setting budgeting, health screenings, assistance in obtaining birth certificates and IDs, transportation, legal assistance, meals, laundry facilities, clothing, furniture, household items, food pantry services, computer training, referrals and assistance with job searches, access to medical care, housing and utilities. Sojourner Truth House is also a community resource for women who have made a commitment to independent living, but still need assistance with food, clothing, health care and counseling support. Collaborations with area employment, housing and social service agencies are essential elements in the strategic implementation of the mission. The staff includes an executive director with twenty years of shelter experience, four MSW social workers, and other support service personnel. In 2024, volunteers donated 5,694 hours of service to Sojourner Truth House. Sojourner Truth House receives community support from grants, special events, individual donations, and food and clothing to sustain its operations. A significant portion of the operating budget is subsidized by Ancilla Domini Sisters.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 99.1%; rating input score 99
• Program expense ratio: 88.9%; rating input score 89
• Fundraising efficiency: $135.85 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 36.2%; rating input score 36; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: -7%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.97; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.5%; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 12.6% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 17.2% per year; rating input score 100; 79th percentile among comparable filings