Passes our checks

Chautauqua County Rural Ministries Inc

EIN 16-1119647 · Dunkirk, NY

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO RURAL AND LOW INCOME PEOPLE, MINORITIES, FARM WORKERS AND OTHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
4 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
11 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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

Programs described in its return (5)

$147,996 spent. THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY RURAL MINISTRIES PROVIDES ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, AND REFERRAL SERVICES TO RURAL LOW INCOME PEOPLE, MINORITIES, FARM WORKERS, ETC.
$12,798 spent. 319 WASHINGTON IS A REHAB BUILDING FOR WELFARE CLIENTS.
$139,472 spent. THE FRIENDLY KITCHEN PROVIDES BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER TO THE INDIGENT PEOPLE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
$459,826 spent. OTHER REVENUE AND EXPENSES
(LINE 4D). THE FOOD BANK IS A BULK SUPPLIER OF FOOD TO FOOD SERVICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. (EXPENSES = 4,574 , REVENUE = 1,402) (LINE 4D). THE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES EMERGENCY FOOD TO INDIGENT FAMILIES OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. (EXPENSES = 70,446 , REVENUE = 7,215) (LINE 4D). THE GLEANING FUND WAS INTIATED AS A MEANS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FRESH PRODUCE SERVED AT COUNTY NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND EMERGENCY SHELTERS. (EXPENSES = 43,450, REVENUE = 0) (LINE 4D). THE GARMENT GALLERY IS A SECOND-HAND THRIFT SHOP OPERATED BY VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDING CLOTHING AND SMALL APPLIANCES AT LITTLE COST. (EXPENSES = 57,701, REVENUE = 21,709) (LINE 4D). THE SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES ADVOCACY SERVICES TO THE INDIGENT PEOPLE OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY. (EXPENSES = 27,879, REVENUE = 5,887) TOTAL PRODUCTS IN-KIND MATCHES REPORT. (EXPENSES = 255,776 , REVENUE = 474,290)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.

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