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Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon

EIN 20-4379510 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ELEVATE THE CULTURAL TAPESTRY OF UNDER-RESOURCED AND EXCLUDED ENTREPRENEURS TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACCESS TO CAPITAL TAILORED BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION.

Income
$18.1 million
Spending
$18.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
65
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$199,301, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 132% 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. EMPOWER - MESO'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, ANCHORS, SEEKS TO BUILD STABLE AND SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION, MARKETING, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $679,796 spent. COMMUNITY CAPITAL - MESO'S FINANCING PROGRAM, COMMUNITY CAPITAL, PROVIDES FINANCING TO OWNERS OF SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS CAPITAL THROUGH TRADITIONAL BANKING INSTITUTIONS. FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY CAPITAL PROGRAM ARE THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM AND THE PORTLAND SMALL BUSINESS LOAN FUND.
  3. $12.5 million spent. EARLY CHILDCARE - MESO'S EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO ENHANCING CHILDCARE CAPACITY AND STRENGTHENING CHILD CARE INFRASTRUCTURE IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT OREGON. THE PROGRAM ADMINISTERS FUNDS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MULTNOMAH COUNTY'S PRESCHOOL FOR ALL INITIATIVE, PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS SELECTED BY THE COUNTY. THESE EFFORTS FOCUS ON EXPANDING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. MESO DOESN'T HAVE VARIANCE POWER OVER THESE GRANT FUNDS AND RECEIVES AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR THESE SERVICES. IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTERING THESE FUNDS, MESO COLLABORATES WITH LIIF, CRAFT3, AND NOAH UNDER THE BUILDUP OREGON PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS AND LOANS FOR PROVIDERS SEEKING TO IMPROVE OR ACQUIRE CHILDCARE SPACES. THESE RESOURCES ENABLE PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY AND IMPROVE SERVICES ACROSS MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND THE STATE OF OREGON. THE REVENUE FROM THESE SOURCES IS REPORTED AS PASSTHROUGH GRANTS ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES.
  4. $2.3 million spent. IDA INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS IS A MATCHED SAVINGS PROGRAM OFFERED TO INCOME-QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS TO USE FOR BUSINESS-RELATED ASSETS AND ACTIVITIES. FINANCIAL PLANNING TRAINING AND BUSINESS EDUCATION ARE PROVIDED TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.EDUCATE: MESO OFFERS CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND SEMINARS IN BUSINESS BASICS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, BUSINESS MARKETING, AND BUSINESS FUNDING. MESO FUTURE LEADERS: MESO FUTURE LEADERS YOUTH PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.

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 July 2007.

    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.