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Better Way Ministries

EIN 31-1173550 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETTER WAY MINISTRIES, D/B/A COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER, IS A VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING HOPE TO LOW-INCOME, HOMELESS, AND UNDER-SERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE DREAM CENTER FORMS PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO FUND AND PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ITS VARIOUS OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
16
Volunteers
2,315
Highest pay
$156,239, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 85% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 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

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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 August 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER SERVED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: ADOPT-A-BLOCK - A FREE GROCERY AND RESOURCE DELIVERY SERVICE TO 10 NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS CENTRAL OHIO. SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES - PARTIES DURING THE SUMMER IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH THE KIDS AND FAMILIES OF THE AREA AND PROVIDE RESOURCES DURING THE NON-SCHOOL SEASON. SUPER SATURDAYS WHERE THE DREAM CENTER ENGAGED IN YOUTH MENTORSHIP ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY AGED KIDS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)HOSTING MEAL NIGHTS, BREAKFAST SERVES, LAUNDRY/SHOWER SERVICES, AND HAIRCUTS TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY WEEKLY. BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD - PROGRAMMING SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARD MENTORING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING. HOLIDAY-SPECIFIC OUTREACH FOR THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, AND EASTER.
  2. $109,635 spent. THE COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS IN 2020 WITH A LEARNING EXTENSION PROGRAM WHERE THEY OFFERED A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO DO REMOTE SCHOOLWORK WITH SUPPORT AND MEALS. IN 2021, AS SCHOOLS RETURNED TO IN PERSON, THE DREAM CENTER DESIRED TO MAINTAIN CONNECTION WITH THE STUDENTS AND LAUNCHED THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TO CONTINUE WITH SUPPORT ON HOMEWORK, RECEIVE SNACKS, AND BE CONNECTED WITH THE VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS IN THE AREA.
  3. $27,140 spent. HILLIARD DREAM CENTER - MEDICAL CLINIC - IN OCTOBER OF 2023, THE COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER LAUNCHED A FREE MEDICAL CLINIC TO ASSIST THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH MEDICAL EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES. THE DELAWARE DREAMS CENTER HOSTED A MONTHLY LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC OFFERING FREE LEGAL COUNSEL TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 November 2015.

    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.

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