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Serra International

EIN 36-2193607 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE VOCATIONS TO THE MINISTERIAL PRIESTHOOD IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS A PARTICULAR VOCATION TO SERVICE, SUPPORT PRIESTS IN THEIR SACRED MINISTRY, ENCOURAGE AND AFFIRM VOCATIONS TO CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS LIFE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND TO ASSIST ITS MEMBERS TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND IN THEIR OWN LIVES TO GOD'S CALL TO HOLINESS IN JESUS CHRIST AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Income
$817,393
Spending
$812,916
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 49 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 58 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $443,938 spent. DURING 2024 SERRA INTERNATIONAL SOUGHT TO INCREASE ITS GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY TO ALL OF ITS MEMBERS. WE CONTINUED ISSUING COMMUNICATIONS IN OUR FOUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: ENGLISH, SPANISH, ITALIAN, AND PORTUGUESE. ADDITIONALLY, WE IMPROVED OUR WEBSITE AND EXPANDED THE SERVICES OFFERED TO MEMBERS. THESE EFFORTS HAVE RE-ENERGIZED SERRANS IN THEIR WORK OF FOSTERING AND PROMOTING VOCATIONS TO THE MINISTERIAL PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS LIFE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 1949.

    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.