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Franciscan Center Inc

EIN 52-1164260 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRANCISCAN CENTER, INC., A MINISTRY OF THE SISTERTS OF ST. FRANCIS ASSISI OF MILWAUKEE FRANCISCAN CENTERS, IS A MULTI-FACETED EMERGENCY OUTREACH AGENCY SERVING THE POOR AND HOMELESSS OF BALTIMORE REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

Income
$5.9 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
65
Volunteers
310
Highest pay
$116,488, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 31, 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 (6)
  1. $2.7 million spent. Dining Program: With a small staff and many volunteers, the organization serves a nutritionally balanced meals on-site for hundreds of impoverished individuals and families with children each day. The Center normally serves over one hundred thousand meals annually which increased to well over 300,000 during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  2. $268,523 spent. Technical Resource Center: The organization provides men and women who are entered in a community job training program free internet access and other software to develop computer skill and financial literacy and receive assistance with resume building. The organization supplements adult literacy, job training, and job placement offered by other local organizations.
  3. $260,345 spent. The B&O Cafe
  4. $241,642 spent. Responsive Services: The Center interviews hundreds of clients each week to determine their needs. The Center provides eviction prevention funds to clients with a valid eviction notice and committed funds from other sources, assistance with obtaining personal identification documents, assistance in paying for presriptions, dental services, eyeglasses, bus passes, and other emergency needs. The Center also employs Social Workers who provide counselling and referrals to other agencies. Staff work with clients to help them pay their bills, coach and encourage financial responsibility, discuss mental health, medical, and substance abuse, and other concerns through case management.
  5. $186,941 spent. Pantry Program: The Center provides groceries for individuals and families. Clients verified as eligible by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services receive groceries for three days of balanced meals. The Center provides groceries to hundreds of households each month. The pantry is normally open from 10am to 2pm. Donated food items supplement grants to keep the pantry stocked. During the pandemic, groceries were provided outside of the building to needy individuals and families.
  6. Clothing Program: The Center provides men, women, and children with clothing of all kinds from shirt to socks to shoes to coats as well as clean appropriate clothing for job interviews and funerals. This resource is particularly beneficial for the homeless, the working poor, and those who have temporarily lost their homes due to fire or eviction. The Center also offers hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo for all clients. During the pandemic, facemasks and hand sanitizer were also provided to all clients.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 August 2025.

    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 March 1946.

    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 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.