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Passes our checks

Mercy Conference and Retreat Center

EIN 26-2680503 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMPELLED BY THE GOSPEL, THE MERCY CONFERENCE AND RETREAT CENTER PROVIDES A TRANQUIL ENVIRONMENT OF HOSPITALITY AND HEALING IN THE MERCY TRADITION, WHERE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS OF ALL FAITHS CAN ENGAGE IN PRAYER, REFLECTION AND DIALOGUE FOR PERSONAL, COMMUNAL AND GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
18.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
15
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$107,259, 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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

    8 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.0 million spent. HOSTED CONFERENCES/RETREATS DAY AND OVERNIGHT EVENTS HELD AT THE CENTER WHICH ARE SPONSORED BY INDEPENDENT GROUPS (COMMUNITY, FAITH-BASED, AND NONPROFIT). THE CENTER PROVIDES HOUSING, MEALS/FOOD SERVICES, MEETING ROOMS AND CONFERENCE PLANNING SERVICES.
  2. $194,694 spent. MCRC SPONSORED PROGRAMS DAY AND OVERNIGHT EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE CENTER, INCLUDING: RETREATS, DAYS OF REFLECTION, WORKSHOPS, MUSICAL EXPERIENCES, AND SPIRITUALLY BASED YOGA CLASSES. THE CENTER PROVIDES HOUSING, MEALS/FOOD SERVICES, MEETING ROOMS, AND SECURES PRESENTERS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE PROMOTED THROUGH MAILING, ON THE WEB, VIA E-BLASTS, AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA.
  3. $148,826 spent. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION/PRIVATE RETREATS THE CENTER OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO STAY FOR ONE OR MORE DAYS OF PRIVATE REFLECTION OR INDIVIDUALLY DIRECTED RETREATS (WHICH INCLUDES PROVISION OF HOUSING AND MEALS). SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IS PROVIDED (WHETHER BY THE CENTER'S STAFF OR THROUGH RENT PAID BY ADJUNCT SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS) AS WELL AS HEALING TOUCH AND THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE/BODYWORK (THROUGH RENT PAID BY ADJUNCT RSMS AND OTHERS).

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 October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. 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 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 March 1946.

    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.

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