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Central Union Mission

EIN 53-0218650 · Riverdale, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE MISSION IS TO GLORIFY GOD THROUGH PROCLAIMING AND TEACHING THE GOSPEL, LEADING PEOPLE TO CHRIST, DEVELOPING DISCIPLES, AND SERVING THE NEEDS OF HURTING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA.

Income
$21.1 million
Spending
$21.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
119
Volunteers
2,290
Highest pay
$251,007, president & ceo

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).

  • 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 (3)
  1. $10.3 million spent. FAMILY MINISTRY - WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUR CO-LOCATED SERVICE CENTERS IN WASHINGTON DC (CFRC) AND ARLINGTON VA (MISSION NOVA), INCLUDING JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORKERS, PARENTING CLASSES, ADDICTION SUPPORT, LEGAL AID, ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING PLACEMENT, AS WELL AS FOOD AND CLOTHING. WE PROVIDED 106,547 BAGS OF GROCERIES AND 90,389 PIECES OF CLOTHING OR HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO PEOPLE ONSITE AND CONTINUED TO PROVIDE GROCERIES THROUGH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. MISSION DONORS DONATED TO OPERATION CHRISTMAS MIRACLE PROVIDING GIFTS TO 750 CHILDREN, AND BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 900 CHILDREN. THROUGH OUR CAMP BENNETT FACILITY, WE HOST A SUMMER CAMP AND CHRISTIAN RETREAT GROUPS.
  2. $7.0 million spent. MEN'S MINISTRY - THESE PROGRAMS NOT ONLY PROVIDE FOR PHYSICAL AND SAFETY NEEDS, THEY ALSO GIVE PEOPLE THE SKILLS TO RETURN TO THEIR COMMUNITY SUCCESSFULLY RESTORED KNOWING THEY HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL, RELATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION TO STAND ON THEIR OWN. WE PROVIDED 57,422 BED - NIGHTS OF SHELTER AND 160,031 MEALS FOR MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, WE ENABLED 186 MEDICAL AND DENTAL EXAMS. OUR WORKFORCE & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ASSISTED MEN FIND 110 FULL OR PART TIME POSITIONS.
  3. $30,887 spent. PARTNERSHIP - THROUGH BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH VOLUNTEERS AND PRAYER PARTNERS, DONORS AND FOUNDATION, CHURCHES, BUSINESSES AND OTHERS WHO CONNECT WITH THE MISSION, WE WILL MODEL CHRIST'S PRINCIPLES TO FACILITATE SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH NON-BELIEVERS. THE MISSION HOSTED 2,290 ON-SITE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (6,125 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE MEN'S EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR UPKEEP, MEAL SERVICE AND SPECIAL EVENTS, COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (CFRC), MISSION MUFFINS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION, LAMBERT HOUSE, CAMP BENNETT, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE) AND OVER 1,250 OFF-SITE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, (INCLUDING SPECIFIC MEN'S SHELTER AND CFRC NEEDS PLUS DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MISSION: NOVA PROGRAMS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA) FOR OVER 4,375 HOURS OF OFF-SITE VOLUNTEER WORK.

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? 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1942.

    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.