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Union Gospel Mission Incorporated

EIN 41-0724066 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNION GOSPEL MISSION DULUTH IS A WELCOMING CHRISTIAN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES AS A REFUGE AND IS COMMITTED TO NOURISHING PEOPLES PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL NEEDS. THROUGH OUR ON-SITE MEAL PROGRAM, COMMUNITY HOUSING COMPLEX AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, WE PROVIDE A SAFE, CARING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUILDING UP, WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION, HOPE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
11
Volunteers
795
Highest pay
$84,698, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. MEAL PROGRAM UNION GOSPEL MISSION'S PRIMARY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE ITS COMMUNITY MEAL SERVICE. LUNCH IS SERVED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND DINNER MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OFFERED TO ANYONE SEEKING SUPPORT-NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS. IN FYE25, THE MISSION SERVED 99,219 HOT MEALS AND 27,843 CEREAL BOWLS, AVERAGING 200-250 GUESTS PER MEAL. FOOD RESCUE TO REDUCE COSTS AND MINIMIZE FOOD WASTE, UGM'S TEAM TRAVELS DAILY THROUGHOUT DULUTH RESCUING SURPLUS FOOD FROM LOCAL GROCERY STORES AND FOOD VENDORS. IN FYE25, THE MISSION RESCUED 201,186 POUNDS OF FOOD. ITEMS NOT USED IN MEALS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO GUESTS THROUGH OPEN SHELVES, REFRIGERATORS, AND FREEZERS LOCATED IN THE DINING HALL. SUMMER FOOD BAG PROGRAM EACH SUMMER, UGM FILLS WEEKEND FOOD GAPS FOR CHILDREN WHEN SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS PAUSE. THE PROJECT JOY INITIATIVE PROVIDES DRAWSTRING BAGS FILLED WITH EASY-TO-OPEN, EASY-TO-PREPARE FOOD ITEMS. IN SUMMER 2025, THE MISSION DISTRIBUTED 4,130 FOOD BAGS TO YOUTH ACROSS THE NORTHLAND THROUGH DIRECT PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SUMMER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. MISSION HEIGHTS HOUSING UGM OPERATES MISSION HEIGHTS, A TWENTY-UNIT, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM LOCATED ABOVE THE MISSION'S DINING HALL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PRIVATE, FURNISHED ROOMS TO INDIVIDUALS OFTEN DECLINED BY OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS DUE TO RENTAL OR BACKGROUND BARRIERS. RESIDENTS RECEIVE A BED AND BEDDING, A PERSONAL REFRIGERATOR, ACCESS TO A SHARED FULLY STOCKED KITCHEN, FREE LAUNDRY, AND ONGOING STAFF SUPPORT TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES UGM OFFERS A VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL RESOURCES BEYOND FOOD AND HOUSING. GUESTS VISIT DAILY TO ACCESS FREE APPAREL, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, HYGIENE ITEMS, AND BUS PASSES TO HELP THEM ATTEND APPOINTMENTS, INTERVIEWS, AND SERVICE CONNECTIONS. THE MISSION'S DOORS REMAIN OPEN ON WEEKDAYS, OFFERING A SAFE, WELCOMING SPACE TO REST, USE RESTROOMS, OR ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE. ADDITIONALLY, UGM'S OUTREACH TEAM PROVIDES ON-SITE SUPPORT AND INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE-HELPING GUESTS NAVIGATE HOUSING APPLICATIONS, SECURE IDENTIFICATION, AND CONNECT WITH MEDICAL, RECOVERY, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. THROUGH THESE COMBINED EFFORTS, UGM FOSTERS DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND CONNECTION FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR CRISIS. MEAL PROGRAM UNION GOSPEL MISSION'S PRIMARY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE ITS COMMUNITY MEAL SERVICE. LUNCH IS SERVED MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND DINNER MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OFFERED TO ANYONE SEEKING SUPPORT-NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS. IN FYE25, THE MISSION SERVED 99,219 HOT MEALS AND 27,843 CEREAL BOWLS, AVERAGING 200-250 GUESTS PER MEAL. FOOD RESCUE TO REDUCE COSTS AND MINIMIZE FOOD WASTE, UGM'S TEAM TRAVELS DAILY THROUGHOUT DULUTH RESCUING SURPLUS FOOD FROM LOCAL GROCERY STORES AND FOOD VENDORS. IN FYE25, THE MISSION RESCUED 201,186 POUNDS OF FOOD. ITEMS NOT USED IN MEALS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO GUESTS THROUGH OPEN SHELVES, REFRIGERATORS, AND FREEZERS LOCATED IN THE DINING HALL. SUMMER FOOD BAG PROGRAM EACH SUMMER, UGM FILLS WEEKEND FOOD GAPS FOR CHILDREN WHEN SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS PAUSE. THE PROJECT JOY INITIATIVE PROVIDES DRAWSTRING BAGS FILLED WITH EASY-TO-OPEN, EASY-TO-PREPARE FOOD ITEMS. IN SUMMER 2025, THE MISSION DISTRIBUTED 4,130 FOOD BAGS TO YOUTH ACROSS THE NORTHLAND THROUGH DIRECT PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SUMMER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. MISSION HEIGHTS HOUSING UGM OPERATES MISSION HEIGHTS, A TWENTY-UNIT, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM LOCATED ABOVE THE MISSION'S DINING HALL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PRIVATE, FURNISHED ROOMS TO INDIVIDUALS OFTEN DECLINED BY OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS DUE TO RENTAL OR BACKGROUND BARRIERS. RESIDENTS RECEIVE A BED AND BEDDING, A PERSONAL REFRIGERATOR, ACCESS TO A SHARED FULLY STOCKED KITCHEN, FREE LAUNDRY, AND ONGOING STAFF SUPPORT TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES UGM OFFERS A VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL RESOURCES BEYOND FOOD AND HOUSING. GUESTS VISIT DAILY TO ACCESS FREE APPAREL, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, HYGIENE ITEMS, AND BUS PASSES TO HELP THEM ATTEND APPOINTMENTS, INTERVIEWS, AND SERVICE CONNECTIONS. THE MISSION'S DOORS REMAIN OPEN ON WEEKDAYS, OFFERING A SAFE, WELCOMING SPACE TO REST, USE RESTROOMS, OR ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE. ADDITIONALLY, UGM'S OUTREACH TEAM PROVIDES ON-SITE SUPPORT AND INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE-HELPING GUESTS NAVIGATE HOUSING APPLICATIONS, SECURE IDENTIFICATION, AND CONNECT WITH MEDICAL, RECOVERY, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. THROUGH THESE COMBINED EFFORTS, UGM FOSTERS DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND CONNECTION FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR CRISIS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 June 1973.

    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.