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Churches United in Ministry

EIN 41-1227969 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHURCHES UNITED IN MINISTRY (CHUM) IS PEOPLE OF FAITH WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE BASIC NECESSITIES, FOSTER STABLE LIVES AND ORGANIZE FOR A JUST AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$8.2 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
146
Volunteers
900
Highest pay
$118,550, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 64% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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

    12 of 12 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 June 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 (4)
  1. $4.5 million spent. STABILIZATION SERVICES:SERVICES CATER TO SINGLE ADULTS AND FAMILIES SEEKING RELIEF FROM HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT IN SURVIVING THE TRAUMA OF HOMELESSNESS. PEOPLE CAN ACCESS BATHROOMS, SHOWERS, LAUNDRY, TELEPHONE, MAIL SERVICE, DEVICE CHARGING STATIONS, LOCKERS, STORAGE ROOM, HYGIENE ITEMS, FIRST AID, AND SURVIVAL SUPPLIES. THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE BASIC NECESSITIES FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, MEDICAL CARE, SOBRIETY COUNSELING, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND HELP FINDING SUITABLE HOUSING. SERVICE POINTS INCLUDE THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS (SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,000 PEOPLE A YEAR); HOMELESS STREET OUTREACH (SERVING 200 PEOPLE A YEAR); THE CHUM DROP-IN CENTER (2,000 PEOPLE A YEAR); AND THE CHUM CLINIC (300 PEOPLE A YEAR).
  2. $1.2 million spent. DISTRIBUTIVE SERVICESSTARTING IN 1981, CHUM'S DISTRIBUTIVE SERVICES INCLUDES TWO FOOD SHELVES, A MOBILE DELIVERY SERVICE CALLED CHUM-2-GO WHICH SERVES HOMEBOUND SENIORS, FAMILIES, AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, AND EIGHT DULUTH AREA FOOD DESERTS. IN FY25, CHUM DISTRIBUTED OVER 528,000 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 2,672 UNDUPLICATED HOUSEHOLDS, BENEFITING OVER 4112 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $1.3 million spent. HOUSING SERVICES:TWO LOCATIONS ARE DEVOTED TO LONGER-TERM HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TRANSITIONING FROM HOMELESSNESS. THE STEVE O'NEIL APARTMENTS PROVIDES 44 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED LONG-TERM OR RECURRENT HOMELESSNESS. OPENED IN LATE DECEMBER 2014, THIS PROGRAM OFFERS INTENSE PROFESSIONAL STAFF SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND 4-STAR PARENT AWARE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES REBUILDING THEIR LIVES. PROGRAMMING IS BASED ON CIRCLE OF SECURITY, PARTICIPATORY ENGAGEMENT, AND FOLLOW HOUSING FIRST, HARM REDUCTION AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PHILOSOPHIES AND PRACTICES. THE ST. FRANCIS APARTMENTS OPENED IN 2021 AND OFFERS 39 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS FOR ELDERS WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS TO LIVE AND OBTAIN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. SUPPORT STAFF CONNECT RESIDENTS TO SERVICES FOR FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES, PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES. CHUM'S GOAL IS TO HELP RESIDENTS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION FROM SHELTER TO HOUSING, AND THEN MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING, STABILIZE THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING, AND NOT RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS.
  4. $533,356 spent. CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH:INCLUDES FAITH-BASED ORGANIZING AND ADVOCACY AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL; EXPANDING HORIZONS, AN IMMERSION EXPERIENCE TO EXPOSE PARTICIPANTS TO THE ISSUES OF POVERTY AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK; AND VOLUNTEER OUTREACH AND COORDINATION FOR ALL OF CHUM'S PROGRAMS (ABOUT 900 PEOPLE VOLUNTEER EACH YEAR, 600 REGULARLY AND 300 FOR SPECIAL EVENTS).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 July 1974.

    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.