Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Carry the Cross Ministries

EIN 20-1177100 · Paola, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FIRST PART OF OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HOMELESS FAMILIES AND YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN KANSAS CITY WITH HOPE, RESTORATION AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A FRESH START. IN THE FIREHOUSE, WE HAVE TWO APARTMENTS FOR USE FOR FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS IN THESE SITUATIONS. SECONDLY, WE WANT TO REACHOUT TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, WE SPEND TIME OUTSIDE PLAYING WITH THE CHILDREN, WORKING IN OUR GARDENS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AND MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. FINALLY OUR HOPE IS TO OPEN ON EAGLE'S WINGS FARM, WHERE WE WILL PROVIDE HOUSING , GIVE STABILITY, SUPPORT, COUNSEL, CARE AND A LOVING CHRIST CENTERED FAMILY ENVIRONMENT TO FOSTER, ORPHANED, AT RISK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$280,638
Spending
$185,039
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
50.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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

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 (3)
  1. $4,927 spent. ILLUMIN8 IS OUR UMBRELLA NAME FOR PROGRANS THAT WE RUN WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. EACH CONNECTION POINT REPRESENTS AN HOUR OF TIME SPENT WITH A YOUTH OR AN ADULT.
  2. $31,487 spent. THE FIREHOUSE IS THE NAME OF THE BUILDING THAT WE MINISTER OUT OF AND WHERE WE HOST FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE.
  3. $76,606 spent. COMMUNITY CONECTIONS IS THE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE FOOD PANTRY AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 October 2006.

    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.