named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Debt Management Program (DMP)
Offers a structured plan to help consumers repay unsecured debts through negotiated payment schedules, with enrollment supported by financial assessment and budgeting tools
Financial Literacy Education
Delivers educational resources and counseling on fiscal responsibility, budgeting, and credit management to individuals and communities
Pre-filing Bankruptcy Counseling
Provides mandatory credit counseling approved by the U.S. Trustees for individuals considering bankruptcy, including personalized financial analysis and issuance of a certificate valid for 180 days
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Financial Coaching and Credit Counseling 2 activities
- Bankruptcy Counseling and Compliance CertificationProvides pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education services approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, issuing certificates of completion compliant with federal bankruptcy requirements. Has been approved by the United States Trustee to issue certificates since 2009, with certificates issued within one business day and valid for 180 days.
- Financial Counseling and Education ServicesProvides comprehensive financial literacy education, credit counseling, debt management planning, and budget analysis to help individuals meet fiscal responsibilities and achieve financial goals. Offers free public seminars on personal finance topics and delivers services in English and Spanish.
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First-Time Homebuyer Support Services 1 activity
- Housing Counseling and Homeownership ProgramsProvides HUD-approved housing counseling, homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and housing stability services to assist individuals with understanding the home-buying process, avoiding foreclosure, and improving housing security. Offers specialized support for veterans and active military families using VA loan benefits.
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Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
- Neighborhood Stabilization InitiativeOperates a program to purchase and rehabilitate vacant homes for sale to low- to moderate-income (LMI) families and first-time homebuyers, contributing to neighborhood stabilization and community development.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.23M
Contributions & grants$915K75%
Program service revenue$178K14%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$135K
expenses
Total expenses$1.20M
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$793K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.94M
Cash$76K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.46M
Net assets$486K
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -3.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD W MASTROIANNI | VICE PRESIDE | 65 | $147K |
| JIESU MASTROIANNI | VICE PRESIDE | 65 | $113K |
| MICHAEL J SMITH | PRESIDENT&SE | 65 | $108K |
board members · 4
- JOSEPH PANTALEO — TRUSTEE
- KEVIN GATES — TRUSTEE
- PATRICK MEEHAN — TRUSTEE
- STEPHEN RIGGS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Bureau Veritas (BV) Government — Certified by Bureau Veritas to meet ISO 9001:2008 standards for social service providers
- Bureau Veritas (BV) Government — Certified by Bureau Veritas to meet ISO 9001:2008 standards for social service providers.
- Commissioner of Financial Regulation for the State of Maryland Government — Regulatory oversight and complaint handling for SafeGuard Credit Counseling Services, Inc. in Maryland.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Government — Partnered with the New York Attorney General to shut down a debt collection ring that used social media to threaten consumers.
- Executive Office for the United States Trustee (EOUST) Government — Oversight and potential review of client information by the EOUST
- FCAA Network — Member of the Financial Counseling Association of America.
- Financial Counseling Association of America Network — Member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), supporting high standards and consumer advocacy in credit counseling.
- Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA) Network — Member of FCAA, which sets high standards for quality credit counseling and financial education.
- Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA) Network — Member of the FCAA, which sets high standards for quality credit counseling and financial education
- HomeFree USA Partner — Affiliate of HomeFree USA and adopts the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education.
- HomeFree USA Partner — Affiliate organization providing housing counseling services.
- NeighborWorks America Partner — Collaborates with The SafeGuard Group through the Housing Stability Counseling Program to prevent homelessness and support homeowners.
- New York Attorney General Government — Partnered with the CFPB to shut down a debt collection ring that used social media to threaten consumers.
- New York State Department of Financial Services Government — Provides contact information for the New York State Department of Financial Services, indicating a regulatory or affiliate relationship.
- The Center for Financial Certifications Partner — Instructors complete certification and ongoing education through The Center for Financial Certifications.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Government — HUD-approved agency providing housing counseling services under HUD guidelines.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Government — HUD-Approved agency providing housing counseling services under HUD oversight.
- United States Department of Justice Government — Approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education services.
- United States Trustee Government — Approved by the United States Trustee to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code.
- United States Trustees Government — Approved by the United States Trustees to issue bankruptcy compliance certificates
- VetsEdu Partner — Partner organization collaborating to educate and support veterans and military families on VA loan benefits.
- Wells Fargo Foundation Funder — Provided a $31,000 grant to support housing security services for homeowners in New York and North Carolina.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Centered Financial Counseling Modelmethodology: client_centered_modelBy providing personalized, non-judgmental financial counseling and individualized action planning, the organization helps clients identify the most appropriate path to financial stability, because tailored support increases client engagement and leads to more sustainable financial outcomes.
- Financial Education as a Pathway to Stabilitymethodology: financial_literacy_educationBy delivering comprehensive financial literacy education and fiscal responsibility training, the organization improves long-term financial outcomes, because equipping individuals with knowledge empowers behavioral change and self-efficacy in managing debt and budgeting.
- Housing and Neighborhood Stabilization through Financial and Property Interventionsmethodology: housing_first_plus_community_investmentBy integrating financial counseling with housing-specific education and direct property redevelopment, the organization strengthens household and community resilience, because housing stability is both a driver and outcome of financial health, and systemic neighborhood decline exacerbates individual financial vulnerability.
- Non-Commission, Ethical Counseling to Ensure Trust and Accessibilitymethodology: ethical_counseling_modelBy using a non-commission model and prohibiting referral fees, the organization ensures unbiased advice and maintains service accessibility, because eliminating financial incentives protects counselor objectivity and builds client trust, leading to more effective financial interventions.