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Wheeler Mission Ministries Inc

EIN 35-0888771 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WMM IS A NON-DENOMINATIONAL, CHRISTIAN, SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION, WHICH PROVIDES CHRIST-CENTERED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THOSE IN NEED. OUR VISION IS TO SEE EVERY INDIVIDUAL WE SERVE EQUIPPED TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS WHO ENJOY LASTING SUCCESS IN CHRIST.

Income
$25.5 million
Spending
$21.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
20 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
314
Volunteers
6,145
Highest pay
$234,691, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 May 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. $5.0 million spent. WHEELER MISSION PROVIDES TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER TO MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT FACILITIES IN INDIANAPOLIS AND BLOOMINGTON. THE SHORT-TERM, TEMPORARY PROGRAMS AT THESE SITES ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST HOMELESS AND/OR DISADVANTAGED MEN ACCESS BASIC NEEDS WHILE ASSESSING THE FACTORS THAT LED THEM TO EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, SHOWERS, CLOTHING, DAY ROOM, CHAPEL SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT (WITH REFERRALS TO ONSITE AND OFFSITE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES) ARE PROVIDED. MEDICAL SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.WHETHER THEY ARE DEALING WITH ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, OR EDUCATIONAL ISSUES, GUESTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENTER OTHER LONG-TERM, RESIDENTIAL OR ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAMS.IN INDIANAPOLIS, WHEELER SERVES AS THE PRINCIPAL AGENCY IN PROVIDING SHELTER DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER TO ANY PERSON SEEKING REFUGE AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY'S WINTER CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
  2. $3.0 million spent. WE HAVE SEPARATE TRANSITIONAL, LONG-TERM, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR MEN AND WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION. THE HEBRON PROGRAM, FOR MEN, IS LOCATED ON A 288-ACRE SITE IN MONROE COUNTY. THE HIGHER GROUND PROGRAM, FOR WOMEN, IS LOCATED ON A RESIDENTIAL SITE IN INDIANAPOLIS. THESE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON TOTAL LIFE CHANGE THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, RATHER THAN A SINGLE FOCUS ON THE ADDICTION. GUESTS LEARN TO WORK, RELATE TO OTHERS IN THE PROGRAM, AND ATTEND BIBLICALLY-TAUGHT CLASSES. CURRICULUM INCLUDES RECOVERY CLASSES, GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, AND BIBLE STUDIES.THE PROGRAM OFFERS MANY AVENUES FOR DEVELOPING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, SO EACH GRADUATE LEAVES WITH A SECURE SUPPORT SYSTEM IN PLACE. THEY LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR ACTIONS, ENGAGE IN SEEKING FORGIVENESS, AND ADDRESS THEIR OWN FORGIVENESS ISSUES. THE GOAL IS NOT JUST TO SEE MEN AND WOMEN USE THIS TRAINING FOR THEMSELVES, BUT TO ALSO SEE THEM USE THIS TRAINING TO LEARN HOW TO HELP OTHERS.
  3. $3.7 million spent. WHEELER MISSION PROVIDES AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SAFE FOR WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN INDIANAPOLIS. SERVICES OFFERED TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE. HUNDREDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN ENTER THROUGH WHEELER'S SHELTER DOORS SEEKING FOOD, CLOTHING, AND HOUSING. THESE WOMEN FIND NOT ONLY THESE BASIC NEEDS AVAILABLE, BUT ALSO EXPERIENCE LOVE AND COMPASSION FROM STAFF WHO DELIVER STRENGTH-BASED, PERSON-CENTERED CARE TO EACH WOMAN IN NEED. COUNSELING, JOB-READINESS TRAINING, ASSISTANCE WITH JOB PROCUREMENT, EDUCATION ASSESSMENT AND TUTORING, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND COUNSELING ARE MADE AVAILABLE AT WHEELER'S CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN.
  4. $1.8 million spent. GENERAL MINISTRY POOL SERVICES OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD PROCURMENT & DISTRIBUTION.
  5. $1.6 million spent. WHEELER MISSION THRIFT STORE PROVIDES FOR THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE BELOW COST SALE OF DONATED MERCHANDISE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 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 May 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 August 1942.

    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.