Salem Dream Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY ONE LIFE AT A TIME THROUGH RELATIONSHIP. RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY TO REACHING SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN HURT BY THE HARSH EFFECTS OF POVERTY. WE BUILD THIS THROUGH: EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP AND FOOD SUFFICIENCY.
- Income
- $598,700
- Spending
- $612,643
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 1,619
- Highest pay
- $36,072, executive dir.
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: 47 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $417,733 spent. During the 20242025 fiscal year, Salem Dream Center continued serving children, families, and individuals in our community through programs focused on food support, mentorship, education, and relationship building. Across all programs, we served more than 430 people through eight programs and provided over 220 hours of direct programming.Salem Dream Center provided more than 4,000 meals to children and families experiencing food insecurity. During the holiday season, we distributed 421 food boxes to help families celebrate with dignity and stability. We also distributed more than 1,380 Christmas gifts to 152 children in the community.Our youth development and mentorship efforts continued to grow. We took 81 children to Summer Camp, and 53 of them made a decision to accept Christ. In April 2025, we launched Boys United, a new program designed to support boys through mentorship, character development, and positive peer relationships. Participation was strong, and the boys responded very positively to the program.To support education and school readiness, we provided school supplies to 178 children, helping them begin the school year prepared and confident.During this fiscal year, we added two part-time staff members, a Program Developer and a Youth Engagement Coordinator. Both staff members played a key role in creating and leading our two newest programs, Boys United and the DREAM Mentorship Program. Their work expanded our capacity to support youth through consistent mentorship and meaningful relationships.Salem Dream Center continues to grow as a trusted presence in the community, meeting practical needs while building hope and long-term stability for families in Salem.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 July 2014.
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 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.