West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

West houston assistance ministries provides life-changing wrap-around programs that help those in need during their immediate crisis, with the goal of helping them get back on their feet to achieve self-sufficiency in the intermediate to longer term. We provide financial assistance for rent/mortgage to prevent evictions and homelessness; help with utilities to avoid disconnections that may be life-threatening; provide clothing and other items depending on the need; as well as seasonal programs providing school supplies, holiday toys/gift cards for children, and holiday meals for families; spiritual counseling (when requested); and onsite services by partner agencies (public benefit enrollment, insurance, etc.), as well as referrals to outside programs not offered by wham. (continued on pg. 60)(continued from pg. 2) we help households after compassionate, one-on-one interviews where we learn how to best meet their short-term basic needs and establish a path for longer-term financial stability. To this purpose, we provide education and job training to promote independence and connect clients to tools that will improve their lives. Clients have access to job leads, workshops, resume building, mock interviews, office support, classes in computing, financial literacy, esl, ged, and certifications, legal clinics, job fairs, transportation assistance, and interview-appropriate professional attire. We helped over 5,513 clients in fy2025 with these various services.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 86.7%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $20 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 88.2%; rating input score 88; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 97.2%; rating input score 97; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 77.8%; rating input score 78; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2.2%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.34; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.4%; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 12.6% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 13.3% per year; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.7% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings