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Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge Inc

EIN 30-0123976 · Baton Rouge, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER OF BATON ROUGE IS A CHRIST-CENTERED HOMELESS PREVENTION MINISTRY HELPING PEOPLE TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN DOWNTOWN BATON ROUGE.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
85
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$147,451, executive director

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 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, 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 (3)
  1. $4.8 million spent. OUR THRIFT STORES (THE PURPLE COW - THRIFTED LIVING) PROVIDE THE VERY BEST, GENTLY-USED ITEMS (CLOTHING, HOUSEWARES, HOME DECOR, ACCESSORIES, SHOES, BOOKS, FURNITURE, SCHOOL UNIFORMS, ETC.) AT PRICES UP TO 80% OFF RETAIL. THIS PROVIDES AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, WE REGULARLY PROVIDE A NUMBER OF CLOTHING VOUCHERS FOR THE HOMELESS, BOTH DIRECTLY AND VIA CLIENT REFERRALS FROM OUR VARIOUS PARTNERS. WE ALSO DONATE GIFT CARDS TO OUR VARIOUS NONPROFIT PARTNERS TO GIVE TO THEIR CLIENTS. WE CURRENTLY OPERATE THREE THRIFT STORES IN BATON ROUGE WITH THE GOAL OF OPENING MORE STORES AND CREATING WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
  2. $102,472 spent. ESSENTIAL AND SUSTAINABILTY SERVICES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING AND AT RISK OF HOMELESS: OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH STABILIZING OUR CLIENTS' CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH PROVIDING ITEMS SUCH AS BREAKFASTS, HYGIENE KITS, CLOTHING, BUS PASSES, ID'S, AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES. OUR BIGGEST ESSENTIAL SERVICE IS OUR WEEKLY GROCERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WE RECEIVE CLIENTS THROUGH WORD-OF-MOUTH, REFERRALS, AND THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH. OUR SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES IS OUR SEVEN WEEK JOB READINESS/FINANCIAL EDUCATION CLASS IN NORTH BATON ROUGE. CLASS PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EMPLOYMENT CASE MANAGEMENT AND UP TO $600 IN UTILITY ASSISTANCE. THEY ARE ALSO PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CLASS, IF NEEDED. WE ALSO PROVIDE THIS SAME CLASS IN EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRISON FOR PRE-TRIAL INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN A PROGRAM CALLED "HANDUP". CLASS PARTICIPANTS IN HANDUP RECEIVE A STIPEND.
  3. $91,950 spent. GROCERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - EACH WEDNESDAY, WE DISTRIBUTE FRESH MEAT, PRODUCE, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL FOOD STAPLES TO FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS IN ECONOMICALLY-CHALLENGED PARTS OF BATON ROUGE, SUCH AS NORTH BATON ROUGE. THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER BATON ROUGE FOOD BANK AND DOOR DASH. THE MAJORITY OF THE GROCERY BAGS ARE PICKED UP BY DOOR DASHERS FROM THE CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER, BUT WE ALSO HAVE SOME BAGS PICKED UP FROM OUR PURPLE COW STORE AT PERKINS AND S. ACADIAN. THEY ARE THEN DELIVERED TO THE DOORSTEP OF THE RECIPIENTS' HOUSEHOLDS. THE RECIPIENT CAN REMAIN IN THIS PROGRAM FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS; DURING THIS TIME, THEY ARE INVITED TO TAKE OUR JOB READINESS AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION CLASS WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THEIR EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL SITUATION.

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 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? 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 2024.

    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 June 2004.

    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.

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.