Project Mercy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE VISION OF PROJECT MERCY IS TO "RENEW THE HEART OF A NATION BY FREEING PEOPLE FROM PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POVERTY". THE MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM HOW PEOPLE LIVE AND THINK AND BUILD STRONG, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES IN ETHIOPIA AND BEYOND THROUGH NEW KNOWLEDGE, BETTER HEALTH, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCES AND STRENGTHENED CHARACTER FOR ALL PEOPLE AS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY WAS STARTED IN 1977 TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES. AT ITS PEAK, THE MINISTRY GREW TO REACH SEVEN COUNTRIES IN AFRICA WITH ITS FOCUS ON ASSISTING DISPLACED REFUGEES IN DJIBOUTI, GUINEA, IVORY COAST, KENYA, LIBERIA, MALAWI, AND SUDAN. IN 1993 THE ORGANIZATION SHIFTED ITS FOCUS TO CREATING A RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT MODEL THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF FAMINE AND POVERTY IN COMMUNITIES. PROJECT MERCY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING LONG-TERM, MULTI-GENERATIONAL IMPACT. AS SUCH, OUR DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS, DEVELOP
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 23 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 6
- Highest pay
- $65,707, secretary
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $123,914 spent. HEALTHCARE PROJECT MERCY BUILT AND RUNS THE GLENN C. OLSEN MEMORIAL PRIMARY HOSPITAL. THIS 52-BED FACILITY IS EQUIPPED WITH DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS WARDS FOR SURGICAL, PEDIATRIC, DELIVERY, AND MEDICAL SERVICES. COUPLED WITH A CLINIC IN THE SCHOOL (THE ONLY CLINIC OF ITS KIND IN RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN ETHIOPIA), PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES END-TO-END PREVENTATIVE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. A NEAR-BY "LIE-IN-WAIT HOUSE" SERVES EXPECTANT MOTHERS DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES. MIDWIVES FROM THE HOSPITAL PROVIDE REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND QUICK ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES TO THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS. THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION (CHE) PROGRAM ENABLES PROJECT MERCY AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ALL THE INVESTMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN HEALTHCARE TO DATE AND BUILD ON IT TO STRENGTHEN THE PREVENTATIVE PRACTICES OF THE PEOPLE TO STOP COMMON AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES BEFORE THEY START. HEALTHCARE PROJECT MERCY BUILT AND RUNS THE GLENN C. OLSEN MEMORIAL PRIMARY HOSPITAL. THIS 52-BED FACILITY IS EQUIPPED WITH DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS WARDS FOR SURGICAL, PEDIATRIC, DELIVERY, AND MEDICAL SERVICES. COUPLED WITH A CLINIC IN THE SCHOOL (THE ONLY CLINIC OF ITS KIND IN RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN ETHIOPIA), PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES END-TO-END PREVENTATIVE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. A NEAR-BY "LIE-IN-WAIT HOUSE" SERVES EXPECTANT MOTHERS DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES. MIDWIVES FROM THE HOSPITAL PROVIDE REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND QUICK ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES TO THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS. THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION (CHE) PROGRAM ENABLES PROJECT MERCY AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ALL THE INVESTMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN HEALTHCARE TO DATE AND BUILD ON IT TO STRENGTHEN THE PREVENTATIVE PRACTICES OF THE PEOPLE TO STOP COMMON AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES BEFORE THEY START.
- $904,374 spent. EDUCATION EDUCATION IS A CORE COMPONENT OF OUR MODEL INTEGRATED INTO ALL OUR HOLISTIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE MEET BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WE SERVE (WITH NEARLY 2,400 STUDENTS IN GRADES K- 12) AND RUN A HEALTH SCIENCE COLLEGE TO TRAIN MIDWIFERY NURSES. ALSO, OUR SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION HAS REACHED FIVE OTHER SCHOOLS IN THREE REGIONS. VOCATION & SKILL PROJECT MERCY TRAINS THE MEN & WOMEN IN VIABLE TRADES THAT CAN HELP THEM EARN A FAIR INCOME AND INTRODUCES THE ARTISAN CULTURE THROUGH SKILLS TRAINING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VIABLE ASSOCIATION SO THEIR CRAFTS CAN BE MARKETED.
- $106,507 spent. FOOD SECURITY THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS HELP BY ENCOURAGING AND TEACHING FAMILIES TO CULTIVATE AND CONSUME VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TREE PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PROJECT MERCY HAS INSTITUTED DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING AND POULTRY FARMING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE RURAL FAMILIES TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY AND A HIGHER QUANTITY OF MILK AND EGGS. THESE FOOD SECURITY MEASURES ARE PROVIDING SUSTENANCE AND A MEANS OF INCOME. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROYAL JERSEY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RJAHS) EDUCATES BENEFICIARIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE JERSEY BREED, EXPANDS ACCESS TO BREEDERS AND BREEDING BULLS TO SERVE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN CHACHA AND FOURTEEN SURROUNDING KEBELES (TOWNSHIPS), AND SUPPORTS PROJECT MERCY TO STRENGTHEN ITS BREEDING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES. FOOD SECURITY THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS HELP BY ENCOURAGING AND TEACHING FAMILIES TO CULTIVATE AND CONSUME VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TREE PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PROJECT MERCY HAS INSTITUTED DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING AND POULTRY FARMING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE RURAL FAMILIES TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY AND A HIGHER QUANTITY OF MILK AND EGGS. THESE FOOD SECURITY MEASURES ARE PROVIDING SUSTENANCE AND A MEANS OF INCOME. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROYAL JERSEY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RJAHS) EDUCATES BENEFICIARIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE JERSEY BREED, EXPANDS ACCESS TO BREEDERS AND BREEDING BULLS TO SERVE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN CHACHA AND FOURTEEN SURROUNDING KEBELES (TOWNSHIPS), AND SUPPORTS PROJECT MERCY TO STRENGTHEN ITS BREEDING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES.
- $238,605 spent. INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THE ABILITY TO REACH CRITICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES SAFELY AND QUICKLY, USE SAFE ROADS, BRIDGES, CLEAN WATER, AND OTHER FACILITIES.
- INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THE ABILITY TO REACH CRITICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES SAFELY AND QUICKLY, USE SAFE ROADS, BRIDGES, CLEAN WATER, AND OTHER FACILITIES.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.