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Diakon

EIN 23-3014613 · Topton, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IN RESPONSE TO GOD'S LOVE IN JESUS CHRIST, DIAKON WILL DEMONSTRATE GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE THE NEIGHBOR THROUGH ACTS OF SERVICE.

Income
$87.9 million
Spending
$85.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
15.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
381
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$1.3 million, ceo/president (until 11/10/2024)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7252% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $76.4 million spent. STATEWIDE ADOPTION NETWORKPENNSYLVANIA'S STATEWIDE ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY NETWORK (SWAN) IS BOTH A BROAD-BASED COOPERATIVE EFFORT AND A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION AND FACILITATION SERVICE FUNDED AND OVERSEEN BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND MANAGED UNDER CONTRACT BY DIAKON. THE SWAN PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AND YOUTHS IN THE CUSTODY OF COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGENCIES. SWAN MANAGES REFERRALS FROM COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGENCIES, CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE AGENCIES THAT WORK WITH COUNTIES TO PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, PROVIDES CONSULTATION AND TRAINING FOR COUNTY AGENCIES AND PRIVATE PROVIDERS, DEVELOPS CONFERENCES AND REGIONAL MEETINGS, AND MANAGES SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CHILD-PLACEMENT NETWORK.
  2. $2.9 million spent. HUD HOUSINGDIAKON OFFERS AFFORDABLE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SENIOR HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. GRANTS SUPPORTING DIAKON CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MINISTRIES AND OTHER RELATED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. DIAKON LUTHERAN FUND PROVIDES GRANTS TO AFFILIATED DIAKON ENTITIES: DIAKON LUTHERAN SOCIAL MINISTRIES AND DIAKON CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MINISTRIES. SUCH GRANTS SUPPORT CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS OF THE DIAKON ENTERPRISE, INCLUDING: BENEVOLENT CARE FOR SENIORS IN A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMMING, AND VARIOUS CHILDREN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, INCLUDING ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE, COUNSELING SERVICES AND SERVICES TO ADJUDICATED YOUTH.
  4. $445,678 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS
  5. $45,544 spent. YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS. IN 2024, DIAKON LUTHERAN FUND CONTINUED AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTHS THROUGH ENDOWMENT FUNDS COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS THE DIAKON YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND. 12 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $45,544 WERE AWARDED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1988.

    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.