Panama Missions
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide for the needy in the Republic of Panama with free medical care, clothing, food, and other assistance.
- Income
- $238,266
- Spending
- $210,275
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $13,200, 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 44% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (4)
- $60,099 spent. Operation Christmas Joy- Panama Missions has introduced thousands of Panamanian children to the joy of Christmas. Since December 2001 Panama Missions has distributed thousands of plastic shoe boxes filled with small gifts (toys, clothing, school supplies and toiletries). Each box is packed for a specific age and gender, from infant to teenager. A U.S. mission team travels to Panama in mid-December to join forces with Panamanian Christians to distribute the gifts - along with Bibles, tracts, and other Bible literature - to needy children in churches, remote communities, schools and hospitals. Many participants also make small gift bags which are easier to transport to difficult to reach areas. Clothing is also a big part of Operation Christmas Joy as more than 1,000 new home-sewn dresses plus hundreds of sets of new and like-new clothing for both boys and girls are collected and distributed to the most needy of Panama.
- $6,060 spent. Scholarship Program- For some of the poorest of families Panama missions offers help with basic school expenses from kindergarten through 12th grade. Individual families from the United States will donate $50-$100 per month for a child's care. A follow-up is done periodically on these children. Requirements are simple. Attending church faithfully, make passing grades in school and be an example in their community. The supporting families can if they so desire write letters and send additional clothing and other supplies with groups who travel to Panama.
- $19,223 spent. Humanitarian Program- Panama missions with the cooperation of individuals and Church of Christ throughout the United States provides different types of humanitarian aid for those who live in difficult circumstances. Some of the things that are offered: Clean water filters using the Sawyer one water filter. Cement floors to help families live better Each group supplies different amounts of groceries for the poorest of the families Transportation for people who need to travel to Panama City to the Children's Hospital. We follow the example of Jesus from Matthew chapter 9 and chapter 15. Jesus looked out over the crowds having compassion upon them for they were hungry and they were as sheep scattered abroad without a shepherd. We seek in all that we do to follow this example of compassion and bringing hope to the hopeless.
- $75,829 spent. Each year multiple medical teams composed of physicians, RNs, LPNs, dentist, pharmacist and support personnel travel to the Republic of Panama bringing needed medical care to those who do not have access to quality medical care. Our medical professionals are compassionate and loving people who desire to share their talents on behalf of the poor. As they share their talents, they are also sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Over 4000 people have received eye surgery, thousands have received dental care with tens of thousands having received medical care. Some have even been brought to the United States to undergo more in-depth care. Others have received wheelchairs, walkers and much-needed medicine Panama missions has a medical clinic called, "The Building of Hope "located in the community of Sanson, Darien which is along the Pan-American highway 150 miles southeast of Panama City. It also has full housing accommodations for groups to stay in while serving. There is hot water and comfortable accommodations for those who are willing to travel to this area.
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.
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 2014.
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.