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Passes our checks

Damascus Inc

EIN 20-8398029 · Centerburg, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO AWAKEN, EMPOWER AND EQUIP A GENERATION TO LIVE THE ADVENTURE OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH THROUGH WORLD-CLASS PROGRAMS AND AN ENVIRONMENT OF ENCOUNTER.

Income
$14.1 million
Spending
$11.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
327
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$166,910, executive director - mission

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 August 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. $4.4 million spent. THE SUMMER CAMPS, OFFERED TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL-AGE CAMPERS, OFFER TOWARD LIVING A HIGH-ADVENTURE FAITH. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES CAMPERS FROM EVERY DIOCESE IN THE STATE OF OHIO, AS WELL AS YOUTH WHO TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE. IN THE SUMMER OF 2025, 6,000+ MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT OUR OHIO AND MICHIGAN
  2. $1.1 million spent. MISSIONARY PROGRAM. THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL SPEND EITHER ONE OR MORE CAMPS. SUMMERS, OR 2 FULL-TIME YEARS ON-SITE IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP FORMATION AND TRAINING WITH DAMASCUS. DAMASCUS MISSIONARIES MEET WITH POTENTIAL BENEFACTORS TO SOLICIT MISSIONARY SUPPORT FOR DAMASCUS PROGRAMS, AND BRING A SPIRIT OF JOY TO DAMASCUS' ENVIRONMENT OF ENCOUNTER. 61 MISSIONARIES SERVE THE ORGANIZATION DURING THE 2025 YEAR.
  3. $4.2 million spent. TRANSFORMATIONAL RETREATS FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND PARISHES ARE OFFERED MISSIONARIES SERVED THE ORGANIZATION DURING THE 2024 YEAR. DURING THE NON-CAMPING SEASON. THESE RETREATS ARE BRINGING ENTIRE SCHOOLS TO JESUS. RETREATS OFFERED INCLUDE THOSE FOCUSED ON CONFIRMATION, FAITH & SCIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND SPECIFIC HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM. FACILITIES ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 5 SIMULTANEOUS RETREATS. ADULT AND STUDENT CONFERENCES ARE STAFFED BY MISSIONARIES AND MISSION STAFF. RETREATS ARE ALSO RAN OFFSITE BY OUR NATIONAL TEAM. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OVER 8,500 RETREATANTS WERE SERVED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.