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Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

EIN 22-2208789 · Lawrence Township, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MERCER COUNCIL ENVISIONS A HEALTHY, SAFE, AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY. TO CREATE PATHWAYS TO REDUCE SUBSTANCE-RELATED CHALLENGES THROUGH EDUCATION, SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, AND PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
13.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
29
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$158,350, 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: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

    10 of 10 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. $1.5 million spent. IN 2025, MERCER COUNCIL'S REACH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: SCHOOLS-5,100+ STUDENTS REACHED THROUGH IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SERVICES, PRESENTATIONS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OF WHICH 2,800+ INTERACTIONS SPONSORED BY ASYSST, 46 RECEIVED COUNSELING SERVICES, 274 RECEIVED TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING, AND 1,985+ RECEIVED DIRECT EVIDENCE-BASED, MULTI-SESSION CURRICULUM LESSONS. COMMUNITIES-1,000+ ADULTS BENEFITED FROM VIRTUAL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING 193 ATTENDEES ACROSS 11 MONTHLY PCMC MEETINGS, 164 SENIORS AT HEALTHY OUTLOOKS FOR OLDER ADULTS WORKSHOPS, 461 ATTENDED 41 WEEKLY ALL-RECOVERY MEETINGS, 168 SUBSTANCE USE EVALUATIONS AND REFERRALS, AND 91 EMERGENCY DISPATCHES THROUGH OUR OPIOID OVERDOSE RECOVERY PROGRAM.ONLINE-20,000+ USERS ENGAGED THROUGH OUR ONLINE PRESENCE WITH 15,000+ SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS, 6,443 ACTIVE WEB USERS, AND 20,281 WEBSITE VIEWS.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 October 1980.

    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 November 4, 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.