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Lafayette Urban Ministry Inc

EIN 35-1182938 · Lafayette, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LAFAYETTE URBAN MINISTRY IS A FAITH-BASED, COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT TO TACKLE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND UPLIFT THE PEOPLE OF GREATER LAFAYETTE.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
57
Volunteers
798
Highest pay
$107,171, executive di

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

    44 of 44 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. $398,241 spent. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER (YEAR-ROUND) AND THE WINTER WARMING STATION (NOVEMBER-APRIL) PROVIDE SHORT-TERM, OVERNIGHT SHELTER, MEALS, AND SHOWERS IN A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. IN 2025, OUR HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDED SHELTER AND MEALS TO 715 CLIENTS FOR 21,876 BEDNIGHTS.
  2. $381,935 spent. THE LUM AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, FUN AND ENRICHING CHILDCARE WHERE STUDENTS WORK ON HOMEWORK, HAVE A NUTRITIOUS SNACK, AND PARTICIPATE IN FUN RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE LUM 5TH QUARTER SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM AIMS TO CLOSE THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS AND PROVIDE ENRICHMENT DURING THE SUMMER BREAK. LUM CAMP IS AN OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AGED 8-10. LUM DAY FOR DADS ENCOURAGES AND CELEBRATES FATHERS WHO ARE ENGAGED WITH THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2025, OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS SERVED 198 FAMILIES OVER 14,000 TIMES.
  3. $234,283 spent. THE LUM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES A STRONG AND RELIABLE SAFETY NET TO OUR COMMUNITYS FAMILIES. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS AT RISK OF DISCONNECTION OF UTILITIES, EVICTION, OR MISSING NEEDED MEDICATIONS. IN ADDITION, HELPING CLIENTS TO SECURE THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE MAKES IT EASIER FOR CLIENT TO GET OTHER COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE. IN 2025, THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVED 1,455 CLIENTS, DISBURSING 174,618 ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS.
  4. $334,624 spent. OUR IMMIGRATION CLINIC HELPS LEGAL IMMIGRANTS NAVIGATE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION BUREAUCRACY. OUR FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES FOOD, HYGIENE, AND PAPER PRODUCTS TO FAMILIES IN NEED, SERVING 1,609 LOCAL FAMILIES IN 2025. OUR TAX ASSISTANCE PROVIDES FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS/INDIVIDUALS, SERVING 745 HOUSEHOLDS. COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING FEAST PROVIDES A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION FOR ANYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY SERVES OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS. JUBILEE CHRISTMAS HELPS LOCAL FAMILIES BY PROVIDING GIFTS AND MEALS TO MAKE THEIR CHRISTMAS MORE SPECIAL AND ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL STRESS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, SERVING 610 HOUSEHOLDS.
  5. OUR IMMIGRATION CLINIC HELPS LEGAL IMMIGRANTS NAVIGATE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION BUREAUCRACY. OUR FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES FOOD, HYGIENE, AND PAPER PRODUCTS TO FAMILIES IN NEED, SERVING 1,609 LOCAL FAMILIES IN 2025. OUR TAX ASSISTANCE PROVIDES FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS/INDIVIDUALS, SERVING 745 HOUSEHOLDS. COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING FEAST PROVIDES A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION FOR ANYONE, BUT ESPECIALLY SERVES OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS. JUBILEE CHRISTMAS HELPS LOCAL FAMILIES BY PROVIDING GIFTS AND MEALS TO MAKE THEIR CHRISTMAS MORE SPECIAL AND ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL STRESS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, SERVING 610 HOUSEHOLDS.

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 September 1978.

    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.