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Refuge of Hope Ministries

EIN 34-1965221 · Canton, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GLORIFY AND SERVE GOD BY PROVIDING MEALS FOR HUNGRY MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE FOR HOMELESS MEN, AND SPIRITUAL HOPE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
42
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$118,928, ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 55% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (religion, $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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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. $1.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SHELTER NIGHTLY TO HOMELESS MEN. 18,800 NIGHTS OF SHELTER WERE GIVEN DURING THE YEAR AND $742,306 IN CLOTHING, PERSONAL PRODUCTS, FURNITURE, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS WAS DISTRIBUTED TO MEN IN THE SHELTER, AS WELL AS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN MEAL GUESTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IN 2025. IN ADDITION, 98 MEN WERE TRANSITIONED FROM HOMELESSNESS TO INDEPENDENCE IN 2025.
  2. $932,675 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HOT MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED, SERVING FIVE DINNERS AND FOUR LUNCHES WEEKLY. BREAKFAST AND LUNCH ARE ALSO SERVED DAILY TO THE SHELTERED MEN. NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED FROM MEAL MINISTRY IN 2025 WAS 111,324. $429,767 IN FOOD DONATED TO OUR ORGANIZATION WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED IN 2025.
  3. $456,876 spent. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RUNS A COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO HELP THE COMMUNITY GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND TO PARTNER WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP MOVE INDIVIDUALS TOWARD SELF-RESPECT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    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 April 2002.

    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.