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House of Mercy

EIN 42-1323808 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WE, HOUSE OF MERCY AND TRINITY HEALTH, SERVE TOGETHER IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL AS A COMPASSIONATE AND TRANSFORMING HEALING PRESENCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. HOUSE OF MERCY IS A MEMBER OF TRINITY HEALTH.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
0
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$1.7 million, former officer

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 111% 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 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $5.8 million spent. HOUSE OF MERCY IS ONE OF CENTRAL IOWA'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE PROVIDERS OF VITAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. HOUSE OF MERCY USES EVIDENCED-BASED PRACTICES TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY, PERSONALIZED CARE FOR EACH CLIENT. SINCE OPENING IN 1988, HOUSE OF MERCY HAS DEDICATED ITSELF TO MAKING THE COMMUNITY A HEALTHIER PLACE BY PROVIDING QUALITY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF THESE SERVICES. TOGETHER WITH OUR CLIENTS, WE HELP THEM CREATE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND SENSE OF PERSONAL SELF-WORTH AND WELL-BEING.PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES:WWW.MERCYONE.ORG/DESMOINES/HOUSE-OF-MERCY

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 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 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 March 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 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.