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Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry

EIN 34-1043756 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Grounded in a Lutheran faith tradition, LMM serves people who are oppressed, forgotten and hurting through providing responsive solutions, voice, and hope. The mission is achieved through 4 areas of service: Guardianship, Housing & Shelter, Workforce Development, and Youth Resiliency. In 2024 more than 4,300 persons were served and 1,800 community volunteers engaged. 100% of the LMM Board of Directors contribute financial resources to the organization.

Income
$13.1 million
Spending
$12.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
191
Volunteers
1,791
Highest pay
$176,890, president and ceo

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 57% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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. $5.8 million spent. The Housing & Shelter area of service is focused on providing emergency shelter, supportive services and solutions to homelessness. LMM staff and social service partners provide on and off-site services to increase resident self-sufficiency. We work with individuals to end their homelessness by finding appropriate housing as soon as possible. In 2024, 3,467 people were servce and 700 positive housing outcomes achieved.
  2. $1.2 million spent. Youth Resiliency Services takes a holistic approach to meeting the basic needs of youth facing housing instability and adversity through providing emergency shelter, independent living and navigation services. In 2024, 149 youth were served with an average length of stay of 23 days in shelter.
  3. $1.6 million spent. Guardianship Services focus on guardian of person for vulnerable adults. Staff and volunteers are appointed as legal guardians by the probate court to serve as concerned, caring champions and surrogate decision-makers for indigent, incompetent adults who cannot care for themselves and have often encountered abuse or exploitation. Over the course of 2024, 20,839 hours of decision making was provided to 615 people under guardianship.
  4. $2.0 million spent. Workforce Development provides vocational training and career services to individuals experiencing homelessness, reentry, current incarceration, and persons unemployed or underemployed. Culinary Training Programming is recognized by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges & Schools to award certificated and diplomas in the culinary arts and hospitality as well as shorter term credentials to aid with attaining employment and advancing career paths. 72 students were served in 2024. Students also supplort the Central Kitchen which produced 237,250 meals for area shelters.

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 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 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 September 1979.

    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.