Gratitude House Inc.

Gratitude House Inc. (EIN 23-7215223) historically operated as a residential substance abuse treatment facility in Palm Beach, Florida, classified under NTEE code F22 (Substance Abuse Dependency Prevention & Treatment - Residential Custodial Care). Founded in 1972, the organization maintained a direct service delivery model providing residential recovery programs. The foundation operated from a property on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, with assets peaking at approximately $2.5 million in 2014. However, the organization has undergone a significant operational wind-down since 2018, transitioning from an active service provider with nearly $2 million in annual revenue to a dormant entity with minimal financial activity. The current treasurer is Carl Nicola. The organization's website is no longer active, and recent IRS filings indicate only nominal investment income with no program revenue or contributions.

Gratitude House displayed a clear funding trajectory that peaked and then declined sharply. During its active years (2011-2017), the organization received $1.1-2.2 million annually in contributions, supplemented by $93K-181K in program service revenue. A pivotal event occurred in fiscal year 2018 when the organization sold assets for $3.3 million (cost basis $2.1M), generating a $1.17 million gain. Following this asset sale, contributions dropped to just $16,823 in 2019, then to zero from 2020 onward. Total functional expenses declined from $2 million (2016) to $496K (2018) to just $81K (2023). The organization maintained approximately $2 million in assets through investment holdings even as operations ceased, suggesting an endowment-like preservation of remaining capital. Annual investment income ranged from minimal ($60-385) to $170K (2019), indicating variable portfolio performance.

Gratitude House was once a mid-sized peer in the Florida substance abuse treatment landscape but has become an outlier as a dormant organization retaining significant assets with no active programming.

The most recent IRS filing (tax period ending June 2023) shows Gratitude House in a functionally dormant state: total revenue of just $205 (entirely from investment income), total expenses of $80,633 (primarily administrative at $30,633), and zero program service revenue. No contributions were received, and no compensation was paid to officers or employees. The organization held $2.04 million in fair market value assets, with an undistributed income figure of $21,735 and a computed minimum investment return of $102,138. The foundation code (4) and operating code (N for non-operating) confirm the entity is classified as a non-operating private foundation. The organization's website domain (gratitudehouse.org) is no longer active and appears to be parked. There has been no public-facing programmatic activity in several years.

Given Gratitude House's current dormant status, prospective grant seekers should note several important factors. First, the organization is not currently making grants or accepting applications — its recent 990-PF filings show zero charitable distributions and zero grants paid. Second, the $102K computed minimum investment return suggests the foundation may need to distribute approximately 5% of assets annually to maintain its tax-exempt status, which could theoretically lead to future grantmaking. Third, any future engagement should be directed to Carl Nicola (Treasurer) at the South Ocean Boulevard address in Palm Beach. Fourth, organizations working in substance abuse treatment and recovery in the Palm Beach County area would be the most natural fit if grantmaking resumes. However, the multi-year pattern of declining activity, website abandonment, and zero staffing strongly suggests this foundation may be heading toward dissolution rather than renewed grantmaking activity.