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City of Refuge

EIN 27-3994145 · Columbia, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE, TRAIN AND ASSIST REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN MID-MISSOURI IN AND WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND PRACTICES, EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, LANGUAGE SKILLS, HOUSING OPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING ASSISTANCE, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BECOME PRODUCTIVE, SUCCESSFUL AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
41
Volunteers
415
Highest pay
$74,001, executive di

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 125% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $665,807 spent. CITY OF REFUGE'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE, TRAIN AND ASSIST REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN MID-MISSOURI IN AND WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND PRACTICES, EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS, LANGUAGE SKILLS, HOUSING OPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING ASSISTANCE, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BECOME PRODUCTIVE, SUCCESSFUL AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES.
  2. $100,230 spent. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM - CITY PRESCHOOL EXISTS TO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. CITY PRESCHOOL GLADLY WELCOMES CHILDREN FROM REFUGEE FAMILIES AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY INTO A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE THROUGH ACTIVE LEARNING AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.