Townspeople

Analysis

Townspeople is a registered charity in United States, based in San Diego, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1994, 32 years ago. Its declared purposes cover housing and shelter, which this site groups under housing and shelter. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Townspeople reported income of $2.5m and spending of $3.0m, spending 119% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $1.7m to $2.5m (+44%), an average of +9.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 36%. Over the whole period it spent 115% of the income it received.

Among 15,864 United States charities whose main cause is housing and shelter and that reported income, Townspeople sits at the 84th percentile: it is larger than about 84% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 88th percentile, and in the 88th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Spanish Coalition for Housing ($2.5m), Haywood Street Community Development ($2.5m) and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh ($2.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 55% and program service revenue 34% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $168k (5.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $565k. At year end it held assets of $9.2m against liabilities of $12.8m, net assets of -$3.6m. It reported 16 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.