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Open Table Ministry

EIN 27-0977564 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Open Table Ministry seeks out and guides people experiencing homelessness and poverty toward long-term health and wholeness by building ongoing trusting relationships, meeting practical and personal needs, making connections to community resources, and bridging critical gaps in the social services system.

Income
$706,086
Spending
$652,213
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
13.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
35
Volunteers
225
Highest pay
$96,142, 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $141,669 spent. Free Store & Get to Work: We provide our unsheltered neighbors with essential items such as new clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and blankets to help them stay protected from the elements. The Free Store is a large outreach event held every Tuesday, where we not only distribute needed supplies but also connect individuals with community partners (including Fresh Start Durham, which provides showers), to help connect individuals with mainstream resources. In 2025, the Free Store served 1,101 individuals and distributed 25,612 items, including 552 winter coats, 2,065 hygiene kits, 1,126 pairs of shoes, 701 pairs of jeans, 2,971 shirts, and 49 backpacks.Our Get to Work program equips individuals with work-related items such as work boots, nonslip shoes, and uniform components, enabling them to start new jobs immediately. In 2025, we served 45 clients with the work gear they needed to begin employment.
  2. $22,426 spent. Community Case Management: We provide holistic personal care to individuals who are homeless or formerly homeless. Our focus is on securing permanent housing, improving access to physical and mental healthcare, and fostering long-term stability through evidence-based practices. In 2025, we purchased 6 long-range bus tickets to help individuals reunite with their support networks. Our team helped 34 individuals and families move into permanent housing and provided support to keep 10 households stably housed.
  3. $226,243 spent. Emergency Winter Shelter: Open Table Ministry offers emergency short-term respite during the coldest months of the year to help keep people safe from extreme weather. In 2025, our team provided 316 individuals with over 89 nights providing 1,611 total nights of shelter beds. Our case managers work closely with guests to coordinate wrap-around services and helped 16 households connect to positive destinations, including permanent housing, long-term shelter, and family reunification.
  4. $148,313 spent. Office Hours: We offer walk-in visits where our staff provide a listening ear and assist with navigating Durham's homeless services. In 2025, we served 859 individuals through Office Hours and supported 375 individuals with mail services, using our address as their physical address. To help people overcome barriers to housing and employment, we assisted 189 individuals with obtaining critical identification documents, including 136 State IDs, 115 Social Security Cards, and 76 Birth Certificates.

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 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.

    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 November 4, 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.