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City Mission of Schenectady

EIN 14-1403652 · Schenectady, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. The ministries of the City Mission of Schenectady seek to comprehensively meet the needs of the poor in a manner that dignifies and strengthens the individual, the family, and the community.

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
18.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
130
Volunteers
1,679
Highest pay
$148,099, ceo executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $2.4 million spent. Residential Services seek to comprehensively meet the needs of the poor in a manner that dignifies and strengthens the individual, the family, and the community. Services include a 76-bed Men's Facility and a 37-bed Women's and Children's shelter. In addition to receiving shelter and clothing, residents may participate in the "Bridges to Freedom" discipleship and recovery program which includes life-skills training, vocational training, and numerous classes designed specifically to foster the journey from poverty to sustainability.
  2. $938,165 spent. The Nutritional Services team provides three meals a day to shelter residents and dinner meals for the community. Bagged meals are available 24/7 at the Men's Shelter. Good nutrition and learning success go hand in hand as evidenced by numerous studies indicating students who eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch are more successful learners than those who do not. The Food Services department has a goal of providing men, women, and children with healthy, well-balanced meals. Additionally, we strive to provide nutrition education to men, women, and children so that they are able to make healthy food choices throughout their lives. Our hydroponic container farm features a controlled environment that allows us to grow delicious produce 365 days a year. Currently our freight farm produces 700 heads of lettuce per week which is the foundation of our healthy salad options for those in need. Additionally City Mission has embarked on a greenhouse project to further help increase the volume of food we provide and expand healthy, fresh produce options.
  3. $664,331 spent. The Social Enterprise program at City Mission is comprised of our Salvage Operation and our Thrift Store. Our clothing donations are first brought to our Distribution Center (Neighbor 2 Neighbor Headquarters) where volunteers sort, organize and distribute donated clothing items. Our first priority with the clothing donations is to fill the Clothing Rooms to help people in need right away. After our Clothing Rooms are filled, we provide product to our Thrift Store, where the revenue will support the programs of City Mission. Finally, items not needed for the two purposes above are baled and recycled. By utilizing these options, we're able to maximize the impact of the clothing donations. This entire process provides job skill training for our residents and revenue to help support the ministries of City Mission.
  4. $2.5 million spent. Other Programs include health and wellness, community outreach, education, transitional housing, weekend backpack, property management, and volunteer programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1953.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.