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Lutheran Social Services of Indiana Inc

EIN 35-0868124 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, LSSI FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING WILLING FAMILIES FACING THE MOST CHALLENGING OBSTACLES WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES AS EVIDENCED BY ADVANCEMENT TOWARD ECONOMIC AND FAMILY STABILITY.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$6.4 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
93
Volunteers
47
Highest pay
$217,638, president & 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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 (5)
  1. $1.7 million spent. Children's Village Early Learning Center is a licensed and nationally accredited Early Learning and Child Care Center that provides social, emotional, and cognitive development curriculum along with intergenerational activities for children ages 6 weeks through PreK. The center is located on the campus of Lutheran Life Villages South Anthony Campus. During 2025, 86 children were served in this program. During 2025 we made the difficult decision to close this program in January of 2026. The changes made to the State of Indiana's Childcare Voucher funding resulted in our enrollment dropping and the costs to keep the program open were not sustainable for the organization.
  2. $620,812 spent. Balance Works provides licensed therapy services to address the mental and behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and adults in our community. This program served 383 clients during 2025.
  3. $461,555 spent. LSSI (LASTING STABILITY AND SUCCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS) WORKS IS A WORKFORCE INITIATIVE PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO HELP THEM OBTAIN FULL TIME CAREER PATH EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS DONE THROUGH A SIMULATED WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT WITH INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND FOCUS ON REDUCING THE PARTICIPANT'S PERSONAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. FOLLOWING THE INITIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT, PARTICIPANTS CONTINUE TO LEARN PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND IDENTIFY THEIR PASSIONS. ONCE EMPLOYED IN A SUSTAINABLE POSITION, LSSI WORKS STAFF PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THOSE CLIENTS IN ORDER TO HELP ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 198 CLIENTS IN 2025.
  4. $2.3 million spent. -Community Partners strengthens families and provides skills that prevent child abuse and neglect. Case Managers work with families to set parenting and life-skill goals, address their needs, and reduce self-sufficiency barriers. This program served 1,654 clients in 2025. -The Cup of Kindness/Financial Stability Program combines financial coaching, accountability, and skill development for families to set goals, develop a balanced spending plan, and achieve stability. This program served 600 clients in 2025. -Education Creates Hope and Opportunity assists teen parents in reducing barriers and achieving academic success with the goal of high school graduation. This program has consistently achieved a graduation rate above 95%, well above the national rates. This program served 82 clients in 2025. -Children and Family Services provides case management and counseling for families referred through the Department of Child Services. This program served 193 clients in 2025. -The Gear-up Safety Program offers individualized education and training for parents and assists with installing necessary safety items. This program served 587 clients in 2025. -Recovery Care provides wraparound recovery support to individuals and their families impacted by opioid and other substance use disorders. Participants are at the state in their recovery where they are integrating it into every-day life. The team offers advocacy and resource referral in home and community setting. This program served 99 clients in 2025. -Persistence Pays Off serves college students enrolled at and attending Ivy Tech and Purdue Fort Wayne to address and identify barriers to their educational goals and persist in degree completion. This program served 72 clients during 2025.
  5. (Expenses $ 2,303,785 including grants of $ 162,923)(Revenue $ 1,405,503) -Community Partners strengthens families and provides skills that prevent child abuse and neglect. Case Managers work with families to set parenting and life-skill goals, address their needs, and reduce self-sufficiency barriers. This program served 1,654 clients in 2025. -The Cup of Kindness/Financial Stability Program combines financial coaching, accountability, and skill development for families to set goals, develop a balanced spending plan, and achieve stability. This program served 600 clients in 2025. -Education Creates Hope and Opportunity assists teen parents in reducing barriers and achieving academic success with the goal of high school graduation. This program has consistently achieved a graduation rate above 95%, well above the national rates. This program served 82 clients in 2025. -Children and Family Services provides case management and counseling for families referred through the Department of Child Services. This program served 193 clients in 2025. -The Gear-up Safety Program offers individualized education and training for parents and assists with installing necessary safety items. This program served 587 clients in 2025. -Recovery Care provides wraparound recovery support to individuals and their families impacted by opioid and other substance use disorders. Participants are at the state in their recovery where they are integrating it into every-day life. The team offers advocacy and resource referral in home and community setting. This program served 99 clients in 2025. -Persistence Pays Off serves college students enrolled at and attending Ivy Tech and Purdue Fort Wayne to address and identify barriers to their educational goals and persist in degree completion. This program served 72 clients during 2025.

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 June 1952.

    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.