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Samaritan Center Inc

EIN 16-1328786 · Syracuse, 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

TO COORDINATE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE POOR AND HUNGRY IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
49.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
13
Volunteers
1,500
Highest pay
$128,638, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 49.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $863,932 spent. DURING 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, SAMARITAN SERVED ALMOST 123,000 MEALS FOR THOSE IN NEED. THIS NUMBER REPRESENTS AN APPROXIMATE 13% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. THIS WORK IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE DEDICATION OF 9 STAFF AND THE ASSISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1500 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS A MONTH, INCLUDING OVER 100 COMMUNITY GROUPS ASSISTING IN MEAL SERVICE. MEALS CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED TWICE A DAY, WITHOUT QUESTIONS OR PRE-CONDITIONS. WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TAKE-HOME FOOD RESOURCES FOR GUESTS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE- FRESH PRODUCE, AND CANNED GOODS ESPECIALLY, PROVIDING INCREASED FOOD RESOURCES FOR OUR GUESTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO MEALS, ALMOST 100 INDIVIDUALS WERE ASSISTED THROUGH OUR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH ISSUES RELATED TO SUBSTANCE MISUSE, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, BENEFITS, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. SAMARITAN DEVELOPED NEW OFFICE SPACE IN 2024 TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF ITS CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DURING 2025-2026, ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN OUR GUESTS' JOURNIES TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY. AN MSW PROGRAM DIRECTOR HAS BEEN HIRED AND PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO BRING ON STUDENT INTERNS TO ASSIST IN THE WORK, AS WELL AS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, OVER 1000 INDIVIDUALS WERE ASSISTED THROUGH COMMUNITY AGENCY OUTREACH ON SITE, EASING ACCESS TO AND LINKING GUESTS WITH NECESSARY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES. THIS APPROACH ALLOWS US TO COORDINATE WITH RATHER THAN DUPLICATE SERVICES ALREADY EXISTING IN THE COMMUNITY. ALMOST 12,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE ASSISTED THROUGH OUR BASIC NEEDS CLOSET WITH ITEMS SUCH AS SHAMPOO, SOAP AND TOILET PAPER, OVER 1200 CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED WITH FREE DIAPERS THROUGH OUR MONTHLY DIAPER DISTRIBUTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CNY DIAPER BANK AND MORE THAN 40 INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WERE PROVIDED WITH MY PLACE BOXES- PROVIDING ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR THOSE MOVING INTO APARTMENTS FROM SHELTER OR UNFIT HOUSING. WE CONTINUE TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME AS PRICE INFLATION NEGATIVELY IMPACTS PURCHASING POWER, FOR OUR GUESTS AND FOR THE ORGANIZATION. THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS HAVE ALSO MADE AFFORDABLE FOOD PROCUREMENT MORE EXPENSIVE AND CHALLENGING.

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 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 June 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 November 1994.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, NY), EIN 15-0533577. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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