Must Ministries Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To serve our neighbors in need and to transform lives and communities in response to Christ's call.
- Income
- $23.0 million
- Spending
- $23.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 150
- Volunteers
- 7,071
- Highest pay
- $290,921, 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2536 of 36 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $8.3 million spent. See Schedule OFood Services: MUST Ministries provides comprehensive food assistance through programs designed to reach individuals and families who face the highest barriers to accessing nutritious meals. MUST's food programs include the MUST Mobile Pantry, which brings groceries, toiletries and fresh produce directly into neighborhoods; Neighborhood Pantries imbedded in schools, which ensures thousands of children and adults receive consistent, reliable support each month; MUST Client Services pantries in Marietta, Smyrna and Canton; Loaves and Fishes Kitchen in the MUST Hope House, which serves three meals a day; and the Senior Smiles food program, which provides monthly food boxes to seniors in need, right at their doors.Client ServicesMUST's Client Services locations provide comprehensive assistance for individuals and families with little to no income, offering food, housing support, workforce development, entrepreneurial training, clothing, hygiene items, healthcare access, case management and help with government and insurance applications. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, MUST distributed more than 700,000 pounds of groceries to 22,000 people and provided 175,000 clothing items at no cost to more than 12,000 individuals through Client Services. Nearly 2,000 people participated in job readiness and industry training, and more than 700 secured employment, generating more than $25 million in annual personal income.Neighborhood PantryThe MUST Neighborhood Pantry program partners with public schools, churches and businesses to provide food and essential items to children and families who face significant transportation barriers. Operating 19 pantries across Cobb and Cherokee counties, the program serves students from 49 schools and supports more than 400 at-risk families each month. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the Neighborhood Pantry distributed more than a quarter million pounds of food and toiletries to 7,000 clients, including more than 3,200 children.Mobile PantryThe MUST Mobile program delivers fresh, healthy food directly to low-income neighborhoods and food deserts where transportation challenges prevent families from accessing traditional food pantries. Each month, the program reaches 15 locations across five metropolitan counties, including schools, churches, apartment communities and the VA Clinic. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, more than 12,000 clients received nearly 650,000 pounds of food and additional toiletries through this mobile distribution model.Seasonal Programs and Community OutreachMUST Ministries provides seasonal and holiday assistance to help stabilize families and support children, seniors and individuals facing financial hardship. The Summer Lunch program delivers weekday breakfast and lunch items to at-risk children during school breaks and, through partnerships with churches and community groups, distributed more than half a million meals to roughly 7,000 children across eight counties. MUST's Toy Shop served more than 7,500 children in three counties with Christmas gifts, clothing items and school supplies, while the holiday food program provided about 500 families with complete holiday meals and gift cards for a turkey or ham. The Senior Smiles program, which now includes hygiene items and other personal care essentials in addition to food, supports 250 seniors each month.
- $6.6 million spent. See Schedule OHousing: MUST Ministries provides a continuum of housing programs that address the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Through emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and targeted rental assistance, MUST helps clients secure safe, stable housing and progress toward lasting self-sufficiency.Hope House Emergency ShelterThe MUST Hope House emergency shelter provides immediate, low-barrier housing for men, women and families experiencing homelessness. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the shelter served more than 1,700 people and provided 50,000 bed nights, along with outreach services for more than 500 additional individuals. Hope House offers a 30-day stay and connects clients to case management, workforce resources and referrals for medical, behavioral health, substance use and domestic violence services.Permanent Supportive HousingMUST's Permanent Supportive Housing program delivers long-term, stable housing for individuals who are disabled or chronically homeless, including veterans. The program served more than 200 people and provided 55,000 bed nights while offering case management that supports medical care access, employment services and education. These services help residents in Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties move toward lasting financial stability.Tenant Based Rental AssistanceThe Tenant Based Rental Assistance program provides short-term financial support to help families experiencing homelessness bridge the gap between what they can afford and local rent standards in Cobb County. This flexible assistance helps households regain stability while working toward long-term housing independence.Rapid Re-HousingThe Rapid Re-Housing program helps clients quickly obtain safe and stable housing through short-term rental assistance and supportive services. Operating in Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Douglas, Paulding and Pickens counties, the program is designed to increase self-sufficiency and reduce the length of time individuals experience homelessness. Among the 200 clients served through both Rapid Re-Housing and Tenant Based Rental Assistance, more than 92 percent were stably housed upon program completion.
- $2.7 million spent. See Schedule OClothingMUST Ministries provides free clothing to individuals and families in need through its Client Services locations, offering essentials such as everyday apparel, children's items, hygiene-related garments and seasonal necessities. The organization also supports clients through MUST Marketplace, where low-cost clothing options help stretch limited budgets while generating funds that sustain MUST's broader programs.MUST MarketplaceMUST Marketplace, established in 2014, supports the organization's mission by offering a full retail experience whose proceeds directly fund client programs. In November 2023, the Marketplace relocated to a 7,500-square-foot store in Roswell, Ga., doubling its previous size and expanding departments that include clothing, designer jewelry, home dcor, seasonal goods and furniture. The Marketplace provides affordable items to the community, raises funds for MUST programs and offers another way for clients to shop for needed essentials. The location also features a donation drop-off area, allowing the community to contribute items that further sustain MUST's services.
- $3.2 million spent. Workforce DevelopmentMUST Ministries' Workforce Development program helps clients build marketable skills-sets such as computer literacy, interview preparation and certification training. Through resume assistance, career assessments and hands-on job readiness support, the program empowers individuals to secure employment and achieve financial stability.During the last year, MUST Ministries served 1,914 workforce development clients, including 1,714 new enrollments who accessed job readiness training, skills development and employment support. A total of 718 individuals reported securing employment at an average hourly wage of $18.56, generating an estimated $25.2 million in earnings returned to the local economy.Behavioral and Primary Care:MUST Ministries expands access to essential healthcare by offering affordable behavioral and primary care services to individuals who may otherwise go without treatment. Through on-site support at housing programs and regularly scheduled mobile medical clinics, MUST helps clients address mental, emotional and physical health needs that are critical to long-term stability.ClinicMUST Ministries provides free behavioral and primary healthcare through third-party clinical partners to ensure clients have access to essential treatment. Behavioral health services, including counseling and support groups, are offered on-site at the Hope House emergency shelter and to clients in Permanent Supportive Housing across Cobb and Cherokee counties. Primary care was delivered through a mobile medical unit that operated twice a month in Marietta and once a month in Smyrna, expanding access for individuals and families who face financial or transportation barriers.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.