El Refugio Ministry Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES TO DETAINED INDIVIDUALS AND HOSPITALITY SUPPORT FOR THEIR VISITING FAMILIES INCLUDING MEALS, TEMPORARY LODGING, DETENTION VISITATION, AND POST-RELEASE SUPPORT.
- Income
- $314,037
- Spending
- $397,891
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 15.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 133
- Highest pay
- $64,210, executive director
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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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)
- $260,460 spent. EL REFUGIO ATTENDED MORE THAN 600 CALLS FROM PEOPLE DETAINED AND THEIR LOVED ONES, PROVIDING RESOURCES, INFORMATION, AND CONNECTIONS TO THOSE DETAINED AT STEWART DETENTION CENTER (SDC). WE MADE 428 COMMISSARY DEPOSITS TO PEOPLE DETAINED ($20 AVERAGE DEPOSIT). WE SENT A TOTAL OF 448 BOOKS TO PEOPLE DETAINED, COVERING A RANGE OF TOPICS FROM LEGAL RIGHTS TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. SIX FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DETENTION AND DEPORTATION RECEIVED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP COVER BILLS, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS. FIVE FAMILES RECEIVED A $500 GRANT, AND ONE FAMILY RECEIVED A $1,000 GRANT. IN COLLABORATION WITH KOINONIA FARM, WE FULFILLED 210 REQUESTS FOR CLOTHING FROM PEOPLE BEING DEPORTED. THE BAGS TYPICALLY INCLUDE 1-2 CHANGES OF CLOTHING, A PAIR OF SHOES, AND A BACKPACK. WE HOSTED 826 FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AT OUR HOSPITALITY HOUSE WHILE THEY VISITED THEIR LOVED ONES AT THE DETENTION CENTER. WE CONDUCTED 210 VISITS WITH PEOPLE DETAINED AT SDC. THROUGH THESE VISITS, WE OFFERED CONNECTION AND FRIENDSHIP TO THOSE DETAINED. WE CONDUCTED 24 EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND TALKS ON IMMIGRATION DETENTION, AND MORE THAN 570 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THESE SESSIONS. WE DISTRIBUTED 286 GAS GIFT CARDS TO FAMILIES THAT WERE HOSTED AT OUR HOSPITALITY HOUSE. FAMILIES OFTEN TRAVEL 300 MILES OR MORE TO VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES IN DETENTION SO THE GAS CARDS HELP OFFSET THEIR TRAVEL COSTS. OVER $7,000 IN GIFT CARDS WERE SHARED WITH THESE FAMILIES.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.