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Paul Carlson Medical Program Inc

EIN 36-2645180 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of PCMP is to catalyze the growth of sustainable communities in place of deep poverty in central Africa, primarily in the DR Congo, by investing in Local Efforts in Health Care, Economic Development and Education.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
5
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$247,191, ecc president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 September 30, 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 (3)
  1. $934,640 spent. The Paul Carson Medical Program (PCMP) provides medical and economic development support. We focus on improving medical care by working with the medical directors and doctors who oversee the healthcare system of 5 hospitals, 120 clinics and a nursing school in the northwest region of Congo. We multiply impact by training Congolese medical professionals through our Medical Ambassador volunteer program. We aim to work with, not for, people who are making a difference in their own communities. PCMP is an active partner in training, financing and supporting this system and infrastructure designed to enhance the health status of some 3.3 million people in NW Congo. Village based programs installing clean water sources and community mobilization seeks to empower villagers toward greater health awareness and better health practices. Economic growth remains a crucial area of partnership because of obstacles our partners face due to extreme poverty. Focusing on relational capacity building, we contribute to the development of projects, individuals, and organizations committed to sustaining growth.
  2. $73,625 spent. Decades of neglect have made roads and bridges more barriers of transportation and in some cases impassable as only logs exist. Commercial transportation of goods has slowed, health care access has suffered, and people have been injured or died from some current bridge structures. PCMP and two other partners have focused on bridge repair/creation with the agreement of the Min. of Transportation. A basic design with predominantly local materials is utilized to replace dangerous bridges to allow any size commercial vehicle to pass safely. This is a program that utilizes the skills of national partners to create sustainable bridges for remote areas and repairs bridges on National Highway routes as well.
  3. $35,358 spent. Economic development includes the Karawa Coffee Project. Launched in 2017, this project aims to work with 2,000 small-holder farmers, in more than 110 villages around Karawa in northwestern DR Congo. This long-term, generational effort enhances the productivity of existing coffee trees and intensify new coffee growth along with other food crops for local market and international export. Expected yield of 1,000 metric tons by 2026 . Reduces poverty, builds the economy, enhances food security. The Karawa Coffee Project has become a coffeee co-operative and is self-supporting.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 July 1975.

    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.