Mental Health Association of St Louis
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 80 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
OUR DREAM IS TO BUILD A THRIVING COMMUNITY AND EMPOWER PEOPLE BY REVITALIZING OUR APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ONE LIFE AT A TIME.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 34%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $179,713, president/ ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 70% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 80 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $876,326 spent. PEACE CLINICAL - THE PEACE (PREVENTING THE EFFECTS OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES) CLINICAL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES COMBAT THE IMPACTS OF EARLY ADVERSITY AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CHILDREN DEVELOPING TOXIC STRESS, A ROOT CAUSE OF ADULT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. THROUGH VARIOUS THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, PEACE HELPS STRENGTHEN CAREGIVER-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, WHILE ALSO HELPING CHILDREN HEAL FROM STRESSFUL EXPERIENCES AND IMPROVE SELF-CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE IN SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIAL SETTINGS.STUDENT WELLNESS PROGRAM SWP PROVIDES MENTAL WELLNESS SCREENINGS IN PARTNER SCHOOLS, OFFERS CUSTOMIZED REFERRALS TO TRUSTED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, AND FOLLOW UP CASE MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. STUDENTS FILL OUT A 10-MINUTE SURVEY REGARDING THEIR EMOTIONS, THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS INCLUDING INDICATORS OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, THOUGHTS OF SELF-HARM, ATTENTION-RELATED CONCERNS, DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. STUDENTS WHOSE ANSWERS REVEAL A POTENTIAL CONCERN AND THOSE WHO ASK FOR HELP, MEET WITH A TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IN PRIVATE TO DETERMINE IF A FURTHER EVALUATION WOULD BE HELPFUL.REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE THE REP PAYEE PROGRAM MANAGES SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) OR DISABILITY INCOME (SSDI) BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS WHO HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN AN INSTITUTIONAL PAYEE OR WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY MANAGING THESE FUNDS ON THEIR OWN. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS AND PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS ARE MET ON A TIMELY BASIS. A TEAM MEMBER FROM THE REP PAYEE PROGRAM WORKS WITH EACH PARTICIPANT TO HELP HIM/HER BUILD A MONTHLY BUDGET THAT MEETS HIS/HER DAY-TO-DAY NEEDS FOR FOOD, SHELTER, UTILITY PAYMENTS AND TRANSPORTATION. THEN, AVAILABLE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR MEDICAL OR PERSONAL NEEDS, PAST CREDITORS, AND RECREATIONAL EXPENSES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Mental Health Association Inc (Chicopee, MA), EIN 04-6197938. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.