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Mercyfirst

EIN 11-1635089 · Syosset, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MERCYFIRST, A SPONSORED MINISTRY OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY, INSPIRES HOPE AND PROMOTES HEALING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WHILE ADVOCATING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

Income
$61.8 million
Spending
$61.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
660
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$340,703, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 90% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (7)
  1. $15.1 million spent. GROUP CARE LIVE-IN, OUT-OF-HOME CARE PLACEMENT PROGRAMS PROVIDE FAMILY-LIKE, COMMUNITY SETTINGS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN CRISIS WHEN STAYING AT HOME IS NOT POSSIBLE AND SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH MORE COMPLEX NEEDS.
  2. $14.3 million spent. FAMILY FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOSTER CARE CHILDREN WITH A SAFE AND LOVING HOME THAT PROMOTES GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENABLING CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING EACH CHILD PERMANENCY VIA REUNIFICATION WITH A BIRTH PARENT OR ADOPTION WITH A FOSTER PARENT.
  3. $11.1 million spent. START WITH HOPE PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT-TERM SHELTER TO UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE CHILDREN (MINORS WHO ARRIVE IN THE US WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, AND WHO ARE FLEEING AREAS OF EXTREME POVERTY, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, DRUG RELATED GANG ACTIVITY, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING) UNTIL THEY ARE UNIFIED WITH A SPONSOR FAMILY.
  4. $5.2 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT AND PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT ASSIST AND SUPPORT PARENTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS SO THAT THEY DEVELOP THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT AND PREVENT THEM FROM ENTERING FOSTER CARE.
  5. $3.5 million spent. INTEGRATED HEALTH PROGRAMS BLENDS MEDICAL CARE AND RELATED BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS, SUCH AS HAVING EXPERIENCED POVERTY, ABUSE, AND FAMILY STRESS IN THE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. THROUGH CHILD AND FAMILY TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES, MERCYFIRST IS COMMITTED TO RESPONDING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH'S MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.
  6. (Expenses $ 5,211,716 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 5,980,994) FAMILY SUPPORT AND PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT ASSIST AND SUPPORT PARENTS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS SO THAT THEY DEVELOP THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT AND PREVENT THEM FROM ENTERING FOSTER CARE.
  7. (Expenses $ 3,453,217 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 3,817,837) INTEGRATED HEALTH PROGRAMS BLENDS MEDICAL CARE AND RELATED BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS, SUCH AS HAVING EXPERIENCED POVERTY, ABUSE, AND FAMILY STRESS IN THE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. THROUGH CHILD AND FAMILY TREATMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES, MERCYFIRST IS COMMITTED TO RESPONDING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH'S MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.