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Urban Ministries of Durham Inc

EIN 58-1505891 · Durham, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Established in 1983, Urban Ministries of Durham provides case management to end people's homelessness, offer emergency shelter, free meals, groceries, clothing, referral to needed resources, workforce and life skills training, and educational enrichment to meet the needs of very poor and hungry neighbors.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$116,420, executive director

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

Fair: 64 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (4)
  1. $3.4 million spent. UMD is the primary public homeless shelter for individuals and the backup shelter for families, with an overall capacity to serve 149. As a low-barrier, Housing-First emergency shelter, we seek to meet people "where they are" while providing case management to stabilize individuals experiencing homelessness and move them into permanent housing as quickly as possible.As a response to COVID-19, UMD's campus capacity has been reduced to 83 beds (36 of which are in nine family rooms) to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus. We now operate a satellite location at the Carolina-Duke Inn, which has allotted 38 rooms to shelter medically fragile individuals at high risk for COVID-related complications. All residents are admitted via referral from Durham County Coordinated Entry.
  2. $195,730 spent. Community outreach - Workforce development services are integrated into our case management program. UMD clients in need of income from a job can receive assistance from our workforce team to create resumes, search for and apply for jobs and obtain referrals to our partner agencies for workforce training and other needs. Our staff provides regular support to clients balancing work or the need to secure employment with overcoming homelessness. When the pandemic hit, many current and former UMD clients either lost their jobs, had their hours cut, or suddenly found themselves grappling with the immense pressure (and opportunities) of being an essential worker. Workforce helped clients navigate the backlogged unemployment system, assisted qualifying workers to track and obtain their stimulus checks, write and re-submit resumes, and coordinate transportation
  3. $164,477 spent. Mission Society - The Food Pantry and Clothing Closet provide food, clothing and hygiene items to low-resource community members, shelter residents and homeless persons living on the street - serving over 500 households each month. Due to the pandemic, we had to suspend both operations in March 2020 but resumed food distributions in mid- August. UMD is providing a combination of fresh and shelf stable items sourced from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Sankofa Farms and out own food pantry. Contactless distribution takes place weekly in a neighboring parking lot, serving up to 150 households. We are working on how best to resume clothing distributions, but will find a way to adapt.
  4. $494,524 spent. The Fresh Start program and the Journey Programs

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 July 1983.

    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.