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Des Moines Area Religious Council

EIN 42-0788211 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WORKING TOGETHER TO MEET BASIC HUMAN NEEDS FOR THE GREATER DES MOINES COMMUNITY.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
27
Volunteers
2,588
Highest pay
$142,434, ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 (3)
  1. $5.2 million spent. THE DMARC EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRIES STRIVE TO MEET THE SHORT-TERM NEEDS OF THE FOOD INSECURE IN OUR AREA. WE SERVE PEOPLE SEEKING ASSISTANCE THROUGH ONE OF OUR 14 PARTNER FOOD PANTRY SITES AND 2 MOBILE PANTRIES. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE NO-CONTACT HOME DELIVERY TO THOSE WHO CANNOT GET TO A PANTRY. INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE MAY RECEIVE A THREE-DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD ONCE PER MONTH FROM EACH OF OUR 14 PANTRIES AT NO COST TO THEM. OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY THREE-DAY SUPPLY, WE PROVIDE MANY FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE ANY TIME.IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025 THE DMARC FOOD PANTRY NETWORK PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 2,814,165 MEALS. UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS SERVED TOTALED 78,504.
  2. $64,193 spent. AT ITS ROOTS, DMARC IS A MULTI-FAITH COLLABORATION WORKING TO MEET BASIC NEEDS IN THE DES MOINES COMMUNITY. WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF BAHA'ISM, BUDDHISM, CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM, ISLAM, JAINISM, JUDAISM, SIKHISM, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM AND NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGION. AS SUCH, WE TAKE PRIDE IN OFFERING A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT.WE OFFER AN INTERFAITH YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP, A WEEKLONG CAMP WHERE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND COLLEGE FRESHMAN EXPLORE VARIOUS WORLD FAITHS THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN THEIR SACRED SPACES. CAMP CULMINATES IN EACH CAMPER PRODUCING A DIGITAL SHORT VIDEO OF THEIR OWN FAITH JOURNEY TO THIS POINT IN THEIR LIVES.
  3. $153,135 spent. THE DES MOINES AREA RELIGIOUS COUNCIL ADVOCATES FOR POLICIES THAT WILL REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY IN THE STATE OF IOWA. DMARC IS A MEMBER OF THE IOWA HUNGER COALITION, A 501(C)(4) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. THE IOWA HUNGER COALITION IS A GROUP OF PASSIONATE ANTI-HUNGER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK FOR EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND HELP EDUCATE IOWANS ON THE CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS OF FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER IN IOWA.

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 October 1989.

    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.

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