West Houston Assistance Ministries 
The information on this page was last updated 9/18/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Whether you need food, shelter, clothing, or financial literacy classes, WHAM is dedicated to helping families reach self-sufficiency.
Contact information
Mailing address:
West Houston Assistance Ministries
PO Box 421639
Houston, TX 77242-1639
Website: whamministries.org
Phone: 713-780-2727
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 760001309
CEO/President: Sonya Scott
Chairman: Stevan Williamson
Board size: 13
Founder:
Ruling year: 1982
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
WHAM will be a model of Christian service utilizing the talents and resources of the community to minister love and support to those in need. WHAM will provide assistance with basic needs and promote independence.
Mission statement
In the name of Christ, we will serve those who come to us for help regardless of background, belief or circumstance
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Community Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 306 of 1538 | 47 of 165 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 806 of 1539 | 80 of 165 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 488 of 1539 | 63 of 165 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 217 of 1539 | 35 of 165 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $740,806 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 4% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 90% | 82% | 95% | 95% | 94% | 93% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 10% | 18% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 7% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 87% | 90% | 90% | 92% | 93% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 98% | 105% | 105% | 105% | 91% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 85% | 95% | 94% | 97% | 85% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 2% | -5% | -5% | -5% | 9% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | 7% | -15% | -13% | -14% | 20% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 9% | 5% | 6% | 3% | 2% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.00 | 2.91 | 2.40 | 2.56 | 2.49 | 1.96 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.89 | 1.06 | 2.45 | 2.36 | 2.33 | 1.98 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.96 | 3.09 | 5.88 | 6.04 | 5.80 | 3.89 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.74 | 50.68 | 16.84 | 9.92 | 5.43 | 8.10 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.18 | 0.12 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.34 | 3.81 | 1.92 | 1.79 | 1.69 | 2.71 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 2% | 20% | 12% | 8% | 6% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 17% | 8% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 79% | 34% | 33% | 34% | 37% | 48% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $1,867,951 | $520,830 | $569,553 | $884,491 | $1,642,026 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $627,764 | $715,399 | $780,191 | $587,969 | $286,883 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,495,715 | $1,236,229 | $1,349,744 | $1,472,460 | $1,928,909 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $151,892 | $1,786,431 | $1,838,503 | $1,957,459 | $1,899,620 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $151,892 | $1,786,431 | $1,838,503 | $1,957,459 | $1,899,620 |
| Total assets | $2,647,607 | $3,022,660 | $3,188,247 | $3,429,919 | $3,828,529 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $49,248 | $73,396 | $112,131 | $151,601 | $137,369 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $23,900 | $119,322 | $100,745 |
| Total current liabilities | $49,248 | $73,396 | $136,031 | $270,923 | $238,114 |
| Debt | $0 | $522,000 | $250,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $522,000 | $250,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $49,248 | $595,396 | $386,031 | $270,923 | $238,114 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,099,072 | $1,697,233 | $2,116,696 | $2,743,822 | $2,224,112 |
| With donor restrictions | $499,287 | $730,031 | $685,520 | $415,174 | $1,366,303 |
| Net assets | $2,598,359 | $2,427,264 | $2,802,216 | $3,158,996 | $3,590,415 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $6,423,682 | $6,546,308 | $7,365,013 | $7,618,824 | $7,636,258 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,165,424 | $989 | $789 | $1,088 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $292,333 | $341,575 | $424,936 | $483,341 | $567,855 |
| Total other revenue | $1,457,757 | $342,564 | $425,725 | $484,429 | $567,855 |
| Total revenue | $7,881,439 | $6,888,872 | $7,790,738 | $8,103,253 | $8,204,113 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $6,685,231 | $6,560,562 | $7,303,136 | $7,832,817 | $6,972,152 |
| Management and general | $703,879 | $360,199 | $482,394 | $292,840 | $152,233 |
| Fundraising | $321,234 | $343,063 | $361,988 | $409,015 | $373,666 |
| Total expenses | $7,710,344 | $7,263,824 | $8,147,518 | $8,534,672 | $7,498,051 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $171,095 | ($374,952) | ($356,780) | ($431,419) | $706,062 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $171,095 | ($374,952) | ($356,780) | ($431,419) | $706,062 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Mark Brown | CEO | $215,600 |
| Laura S Bracher | CFO | $120,000 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/18/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Founded in April 1982 by seven local places of worship, West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM), formerly known as Westheimer Ecumenical Social Ministry, saw a need to provide for the needy who came through their church doors seeking assistance. WHAM has been, and continues to be, a ray of hope for West Houston children, families, and homeless people in crisis.
Offering assistance in meeting the essentials of daily living, WHAM matches client needs with available services and programs, including financial assistance, job search, food pantry, low cost gently-used items and special programs such as Back to School.
Since the inception of WHAM, a dedicated group of volunteers has devoted time, talent and treasure to support our mission. Individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and schools throughout West Houston make it possible for us provide the vital resources needed to over 42,000 clients each year. WHAM has developed a reputation as a caring, concerned and supportive operation for those in need.