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Samaritan Ministries

EIN 56-1490019 · Winston Salem, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS PROVIDING FOOD, SHELTER, AND HOPE THROUGH CHRISTIAN LOVE

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
25.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
37
Volunteers
2,096
Highest pay
$122,457, executive di

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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. $1.3 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O
  2. $443,613 spent. SAMARITAN MINISTRIES IS AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL, VOLUNTEER-BASED SOUP KITCHEN AND HOMELESS MEN'S SHELTER DEDICATED TO FIGHTING HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. IT OPERATES THE ONLY SOUP KITCHEN IN FORSYTH COUNTY AND SERVES FREE LUNCH DAILY TO ANYONE IN NEED WITH NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. IN ADDITION, BREAKFAST AND DINNER ARE SERVED TO GUESTS STAYING IN THE SHELTER. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, A TOTAL OF 127,763 MEALS WERE SERVED. SINCE ITS FOUNDING, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF HAVE PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 5 MILLION MEALS TO HUNGRY AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. LINE 4A - SAMARITAN MINISTRIES PROVIDES FREE, SAFE, AND TEMPORARY SHELTER TO HOMELESS MEN FOR UP TO 90 DAYS. THE 70 BED HOMELESS SHELTER OPERATES YEAR-ROUND AND OFFERS BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER TO SHELTER GUESTS, 24 HOURS A DAY. OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE LAUNDRY, SHOWERS, LOCKER STORAGE, ACCESS TO A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, FREE MEDICAL CLINIC AND ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. FOR 30 YEARS, SAMARITAN MINISTRIES HAS OPERATED PROJECT CORNERSTONE, A RESIDENTIAL LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR UP TO 10 MEN WITH A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED A STRONG COMMITMENT TO OVERCOMING ADDICTION. CORNERSTONE GUESTS LIVE AT SAMARITAN MINISTRIES FOR 13-18 MOMTHS, RECEIVING GROUP COUNSELING, ADDICTION AND RELAPSE EDUCATIONS AND CONNECTIONS TO LONG-TERM SUPPORT. THE PROGRAM'S DIRECTOR IS A CERTIFIED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, 2,096 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 29,324 HOURS OF SERVICE AND 25,748 NIGHTS OF SHELTER WERE PROVIDED TO 456 DIFFERENT HOMELESS MEN.

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 November 6, 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 May 1986.

    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.