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Galveston Urban Ministries

EIN 27-4207828 · Galveston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Galveston Urban Ministries (GUM) is to develop holistic relationships to transform the beloved Galveston community using GUM-E's: Engage, Equip and Empower. Continued on Sch O. By teaching kids to read, helping adult neighbors prepare to enter the workforce, or educating work groups all over Texas to alleviate poverty, GUM's goal is to see the North Broadway community thrive. GUM wants each of its Galveston neighbors to have healthy families, good-paying jobs, and above all else, to know the abundant love of Jesus. To achieve this, GUM 1) Engages in deep relationships and expresses the love of Christ, 2) Equips others with resources to fight poverty, and 3) Empowers everyone to be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy and to create sustainable and God-honoring lives.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-52.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
25
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$152,850, executive director (thru 11/24)

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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 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 (4)
  1. $442,987 spent. STUDENTS - GUM Youth is an after-school mentoring program for students 5th grade through college. The goal is to raise the next generation of leaders by showing every student the love of Christ. Through mentoring, education, and fellowship, GUM equips its youth to not just survive but to thrive as children of God. The Youth program includes a variety of activities including after-school mentoring, field trips, community service projects, recreational sports, in-school tutoring, college preparation services, and Youth Art Collective workshops and art shows.
  2. $221,882 spent. MISSION TEAMS - Groups that come to Galveston to assist GUM in its community outreach program. They are involved in Street Camps, Block Parties and other identified projects that assist our neighbors and neighborhood.
  3. $110,941 spent. CHILDREN - The GUMDROPS Children's Program is our elementary age program where we connect with the whole child by holistically caring for their social, spiritual and mental development. In the GUMDROPS program, kids come together to learn about God, get homework help, develop teamwork skills, learn how to respect themselves and others, and participate in fun, educational field trips. GUM's goal is for children to internalize the gospel by teaching them how to communicate their feelings, showing them who they are as God's creation in Christ, providing a safe place for curiosity and creativity, and by developing healthy relationships.
  4. ADULTS - The Getting Ahead Program Well is a 24-week program that helps adults examine the impact of poverty in their communities and in their own lives while learning what God's word says about it. In order to create authentic community and provide support on the road to breaking the chains of poverty, participants walk side by side with mentors to tackle everything from budgeting and negotiation skills to how to cope with daily life and build hope for the future. This program was temporarily paused in 2024 with plans to resume in 2025.

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 December 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.