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Lutheran Community Services Inc

EIN 51-0102403 · Wilmington, DE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION: LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ADDRESS FOOD, HOUSING, THEIR HEALTH AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. VISION: PEOPLE MOVING FROM EMERGENCY TO EMPOWERMENT.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
12
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$105,551, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (5)
  1. $450,754 spent. EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS, MEDICALLY TAILORED GROCERIES AND FOOD IS MEDICINE PROGRAMMING, PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION.
  2. $357,158 spent. HOMELESS PREVENTION IN THE FORM OF SECURITY DEPOSITS, RENT, MORTGAGE OR UTILITY PAYMENTS ALONG WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING
  3. $303,260 spent. SMOKING CESSATION ASSISTANCE
  4. $636,065 spent. PROVIDING AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR REDUCING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES EXPERIENCED BY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM COMBINES MOBILE FOOD WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE (PRIMARY CARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING)TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR HIGH RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTROL THEIR CHRONIC CONDIITIONS.
  5. PROVIDING AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR REDUCING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES EXPERIENCED BY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM COMBINES MOBILE FOOD WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE (PRIMARY CARE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING)TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR HIGH RISK COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTROL THEIR CHRONIC CONDIITIONS.

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

  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? 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1970.

    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.