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Bethesda Mission of Harrisburg

EIN 23-1389397 · Harrisburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SINCE 1914, BETHESDA MISSION HAS BEEN A MISSIONARY ARM OF THE LOCAL CHURCH, REACHING OUT TO MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL RACES, NATIONALITIES, AND CREEDS, PROVIDING THE POOR AND HOMELESS WITH SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, AND DISCLIPLING THEM IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

Income
$25.5 million
Spending
$24.5 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
78
Volunteers
4,581
Highest pay
$127,584, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (5)
  1. $18.6 million spent. FOOD BANK - BETHESDA MISSION PARTNERS WITH CHURCHES AND OTHER AGENCIES IN COUNTIES SURROUNDING HARRISBURG TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF BAGS OF FOOD AND ESSENTIAL DAILY HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS TO HUNGRY AND NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
  2. $2.0 million spent. MEN'S CENTER - PROVIDES LODGING, NUTRIOUS MEALS, HOT SHOWERS, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, MEDICAL AND DENTAL FACILITIES AND CLOTHING AS NEEDED.
  3. $1.3 million spent. WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S CENTER - PROVIDES LODGING FOR SINGLE WOMEN AS WELL AS MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN. NUTRITIOUS MEALS, HOT SHOWERS, LAUNDRY FACILITIES AND CLOTHING ARE PROVIDED AS NEEDED WITHOUT CHARGE.
  4. $1.2 million spent. COMMUNITY CENTER- DEVELOPS MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH HARRISBURG AREA YOUTH AND GUIDES THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST, WHILE HELPING THEM CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY IN THEIR HOMES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.
  5. MED/DENTAL CLINIC - PROVIDES EXCELLENT MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE FOR ITS RESIDENTS AND TAKES REFERRALS FROM OTHER AGENCIES IN THE HARRISBURG AREA TREATING UNINSURED AND UNDER-INSURED HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME PERSONS.

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 October 1943.

    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.