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Franciscan Charities Inc

EIN 20-1557589 · Newark, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRANCISCAN CHARITIES, INC. IS A NOT-FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY WHICH WAS ORGANIZED AND OPERATES TO TEND TO THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF THE POOR, PROVIDE TOOLS TO RISE ABOVE POVERTY AND SUPPORT PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING. THROUGH ITS MINISTRIES, FRANCISCAN CHARITIES OFFERS VARIOUS SERVICES TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED OF THE GREATER NEWARK AREA UTILIZING OVER 1,000 VOLUNTEERS.

Income
$450,363
Spending
$551,329
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
8
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$24,000, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $283,334 spent. AS PART OF ITS MISSION, FRANCISCAN CHARITIES PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED WITH THE HELP OF OVER 1,000 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. OUR EFFORTS TO FEED THE HUNGRY ARE SUPPORTED BY A STRONG BELIEF THAT EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE A WARM, WELCOMING PLACE TO EAT AND BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND KINDNESS. FRANCISCAN CHARITIES SERVES HOT, HOME COOKED, NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED BY A PROFESSIONAL CHEF ON A TO GO BASIS, 4 DAYS PER WEEK. FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE ARE AIDED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS OVER THE YEARS.
  2. $146,389 spent. THE HEALING MINISTRY OF DIVINE MERCY WAS FOUNDED BY BROTHER PAUL MILLER, OFS. ESTABLISHED IN 2000, BROTHER PAUL SEEKS TO MINISTER TO THE SICK, THE POOR, THE HELPLESS, AND THE MARGINALIZED, BY BRINGING THE LORD'S HEALING AND PEACE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. THE MINISTRY EXTENDS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS THE CARIBBEAN. HEALING AND PRAYER SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK IN BOTH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS. THESE ACTIVITIES ATTRACT PARTICIPATION FROM INDIVIDUALS LOCATED IN THE LOCAL TRI-STATE AREA AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY. ANYONE CAN ATTEND THE SERVICES REGARDLESS OF RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.
  3. $60,604 spent. CLIENT ASSISTANCE: INCLUDES VARIED SERVICES SUCH AS THE ID PROGRAM WHICH HELPS MANY INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN THE PROPER LEGAL IDENTIFICATION NEEDED FOR THEM TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE OR TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SUCH AS HOUSING, CHILD SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE WITH LEGAL ISSUES; THE MAGI FUND WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO PARENTS AND THEIR NEWBORN CHILDREN; THE COAT DRIVE WHICH SUPPLIES HUNDREDS OF WARM COATS AND WINTER ACCESSORIES ANNUALLY; AND THE TOY DRIVE WHICH ENSURES HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN HAVE A GIFT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. IN ADDITION, FRANCISCAN CHARITIES MAKES REFERRALS FOR ADDICTION COUNSELING AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 January 2005.

    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.