Christians in Action Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT PURPOSES IN PROVIDING SERVICES AND SHELTER FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN; TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 73%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $107,697, 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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.3 million spent. CHRISTIANS IN ACTION, INC. HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 1974. THE AGENCY OPERATES AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES BIRTH THROUGH SEVENTEEN, A CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER, AND A RUNAWAY PROGRAM FOR YOUTH. LOCATED IN HINDS COUNTY, A COUNTY WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENCES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE STATE, THE SHELTER SERVES CHILDREN FROM ALL MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES WHEN SPACE IS AVAILABLE. THE SHELTER IS LICENSED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES (MDCPS) AND CHILDREN ENTER THE SHELTER BY COURT ORDER. IT WAS THE FIRST SHELTER IN THE STATE TO OPEN IN 1977, AND IS ONE OF SIX SHELTERS STATEWIDE SERVING THIS AGE GROUP AND POPULATION. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UTILIZED PROGRAMS IN THE STATE. ALTHOUGH THE STAY IS INTENDED TO BE LIMITED TO 45 DAYS WHILE THE STATE FINDS A FOSTER HOME OR RELATIVE PLACEMENT, THE STAY CAN BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION FOR PERMANENCY.IN 2025, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 91 CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF UNITS OF SERVICE WERE 2,495 (ONE CHILD SPENDING ONE NIGHT = ONE UNIT OF SERVICE). FOURTEEN CHILDREN HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED, 14 HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSED, AND 57 NEGLECTED. THIRTY-THREE WERE MALES AND 58 WERE FEMALES. TWENTY-ONE WERE EITHER PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDED FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUPERVISION. LOCAL CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED TO SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ARE ENROLLED. RECREATIONAL OUTINGS HAVE INCLUDED DINING OUT, MOVIES, PARKS, SKATING, AND BOWLING. VOLUNTEERS ARE UTILIZED FOR ON-SITE, SUPERVISED RECREATION AND PARTIES. TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN RECEIVED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND 61 RECEIVED A COMPLETE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND VISION ASSESSMENT.THE AGENCY HAD TWO INTERNS DURING 2025, AND THESE VOLUNTEER SERVICES CAN BE USED AS IN-KIND MATCH FOR GRANTS, AS OPPOSED TO PROVIDING A CASH MATCH.A FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, THERAPIST, VICTIM SERVICES COORDINATOR, HOUSE MANAGER AND 15 FULL AND PART-TIME DIRECT CARE EMPLOYEES ENSURE ALL NEEDED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WHILE THE CHILD IS IN SHELTER CARE. IF THE CHILD WAS REMOVED FROM THE HOME DUE TO NEGLECT OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AND CONFIDES IN THE THERAPIST THAT THERE WAS ALSO SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVED, THE THERAPIST MAKES A REPORT TO THE STATE HOTLINE, AND AN INVESTIGATION ENSUES. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ARREST OF THE PERPETRATOR AND ENSURE THAT HE/SHE NO LONGER HAS ACCESS TO THE CHILD. THE AGENCY THERAPIST IS CERTIFIED AS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDER, DUE TO THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SEX TRAFFICKED VICTIMS SERVED BY THE AGENCY. THE CHILD CAN ALSO BE REFERRED TO THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER PROGRAM FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW. THE HOUSE-MANAGER AND THE FULL AND PART-TIME DIRECT CARE EMPLOYEES PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES AND SUPERVISION FOR YOUTH IN CARE. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF STAFF, FUND-RAISING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR ALL PROGRAMS.THE AGENCY PROVIDES ON-SITE FAMILY VISITATION, AND UTILIZES TELEPHONE CALLS AND FACETIME, AS ALTERNATE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. CHILD PROTECTION SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ALLOWED TO VISIT AS NEEDED AND ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH STAFF REGARDING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CARE.THE CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER IS CURRENTLY ONE OF 15 CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE STATE AND SERVES HINDS COUNTY. THE AGENCY PROVIDES FORENSIC INTERVIEWS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED SEXUAL ABUSE, FELONY CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE, OR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME. STAFF PROVIDE FAMILY ADVOCACY ASSISTANCE WITH FILING VICTIM COMPENSATION FORMS, AND MAY BE CALLED TO TESTIFY IN COURT. PARTNERSHIPS FORMED WITH OTHER AGENCIES PROVIDE THERAPY AND FORENSIC MEDICALS FOR THE CHILD. THESE SERVICES HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE HOPE AND HEALING WHILE STAFF AND PARTNERS GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE COURT AND PROSECUTION PROCESS.THE CENTRAL MS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER PROGRAM HAS TWO FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TWO FAMILY ADVOCATES, AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM FACILITATOR WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES. SEVERAL EMPLOYEES ARE CROSS TRAINED AND CAN BE USED AS BACK-UP WHEN NEEDED. IN 2025, THE AGENCY COMPLETED 254 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND PROVIDED ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT TO CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS WAS FEWER INTERVIEWS THAN PERFORMED IN 2024 AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE NEW SYSTEM MDCPS IS GRADUALLY TRANSFERRING TO, WHICH REDUCED THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS COMING THROUGH THE SOFTWARE BY USERS. CHILDREN WHO NEED A FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION ARE REFERRED TO THE SAFE CERITER AT UMMC. CHILDREN REQUIRING ON-GOING THERAPY ARE REFERRED TO PARTNER AGENCIES ESTABLISHED THROUGH MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING. COPIES OF THE RECORDED INTERVIEW AND ALL INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PROSECUTION IS TURNED OVER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. MANY OF THE INTERVIEWS TURNED OVER FOR PROSECUTION ARE NOW BEFORE THE COURTS. FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TRAINED IN COURT TESTIMONY, ARE CALLED TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD. STAFF ARE ON CALL FOR EMERGENCY INTERVIEWS, PARTICULARLY FOR TRAFFICKED YOUTH WHO NEED AN IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW SO LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN ACT.SIGNED PARTNERSHIPS ARE IN PLACE, WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HINDS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SAFE CENTER, YOUTH COURT, CANOPY SOLUTIONS, SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SERVICES, AND HINDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. THESE PARTNERSHIPS FORM A COALITION WHO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE ADVOCACY CENTER'S MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. THESE TEAM MEMBERS OBSERVE INTERVIEWS LIVE FROM ANOTHER BUILDING AS THEY OCCUR, MEET MONTHLY WITH OUR STAFF FOR CASE REVIEW, AND HELP MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING DISPOSITION OF THE CASE. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN NEEDING THERAPY WHO ARE BEING REFERRED TO MOU PARTNERS, PLANS ARE TO HIRE A THERAPIST SPECIFIC TO THE CAC PROGRAM.THE AGENCY HAS NOT YET COMPLETED RENOVATIONS TO A SECOND BUILDING TO BE UTILIZED AS AN ADDITIONAL CAC BUILDING DUE TO REDUCED FUNDING. FINAL RENOVATIONS AND OCCUPANCY ARE EXPECTED FOR 20
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1979.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.