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Fargo Union Mission Inc

EIN 45-0228056 · Fargo, ND

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A faith-based emergency shelter and crisis response ministry aimed at meeting the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing and transforming lives through the love of Jesus. Our mission is to serve people who are on the journey from homeless and hurting to whole and healthy.

Income
$6.5 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
140
Volunteers
301
Highest pay
$144,112, executive director/secreta

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

Fair: 61 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    8 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 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 (2)
  1. $3.2 million spent. Emergency Shelter: We provide a safe, warm place to sleep for those seeking to escape the elements. Along with the actual shelter for the individual, we also make showers and laundry available as well. We also offer longer-term shelter in the form of transitional housing. The only restrictions that would prohibit someone from accessing our shelter services is if they have been using drugs, drinking alcohol or are a registered sex offender above level 1. Provide Meals:Our kitchen is open to not only those who stay with us but also to the community. Every day, two nutritious meals are prepared by our trained and certified cooks and made available, free of charge, to those in need. Various other services:In addition to meeting the basic needs of food and shelter, our case management services focus on helping the individual to a place of self-sufficiency through programs tailored to meet their individual needs. We help with such things as obtaining ID, mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment, employment assistance, housing navigation and assistance and various other services, all in a non-discriminatory setting.Relapse Prevention Program(Genesis):Provides a structured one-year curriculum that gives men the time they need to study the science of addiction and work to recover from addiction. During their time in Genesis, men participate in a shelter work-study program and are accompanied to off-site activities and support.
  2. $1.4 million spent. Operate Thrift Stores:Operating Thrift stores are one of our main revenue streams due to sales of inventory. In addition to the sales of product, we also are a primary provider of free clothing and other household essentials to those in need within our community. Other agencies make referrals to our store in order to provide their clients with these products in order to meet basic needs such as clothing, beds, and cooking utensils. All product is donated from the community and either sold to assist in the operation of the organization, given away to those in need, or used internally for day-to-day operation of the organization

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 August 1943.

    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.