Orlando Union Rescue Mission Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO BRING THE HUNGRY, HURTING, AND HOMELESS TO A NEW LIFE, NEW GOALS, AND A NEW FUTURE IN CHRIST.
- Income
- $11.4 million
- Spending
- $9.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 5.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 63
- Volunteers
- 7,727
- Highest pay
- $162,760, president/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (housing, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 December 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 (1)
- $6.6 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.THE ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION IS A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY THAT CONDUCTS LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT EQUIP ITS GUESTS - THE HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WHO LIVE AT THE MISSION - TO ESCAPE HOMELESSNESS PERMANENTLY. IN ADDITION TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF HOUSING, FOOD, AND CLOTHING, THE MISSION PROVIDES THE EDUCATION, TRAINING, ADDICTION RECOVERY, AND COUNSELING THOSE GUESTS NEED SO DESPERATELY. IT OFFERS ALL THOSE SERVICES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS KNOWLEDGE OF AND A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. THE MISSION PROVIDES ALL GOODS AND SERVICES TO GUESTS FOR FREE; THEY PAY NOTHING FOR ALL ESSENTIAL LIVING EXPENSES WHILE THEY ARE AT THE MISSION.THE MISSION OPERATES TWO RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. THE FAMILY HOME HOUSES SINGLE WOMEN, SINGLE MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN, SINGLE FATHERS WITH CHILDREN, AND INTACT MARRIED COUPLES WITH CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF GUESTS LIVING AT THE FAMILY HOME VARIES, DEPENDING ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE FAMILIES AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN. THE FAMILY HOME HAS A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 194 GUESTS, BUT AT ANY TIME, THE POPULATION OF GUESTS TYPICALLY VARIES BETWEEN 140 AND 180.THE SECOND RESIDENTIAL FACILITY IS PROJECT HOPE, WHERE THE MISISON SERVES 158 SINGLE, HOMELESS MEN. THE CENTERPIECE OF THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AT BOTH THE FAMILY HOME AND PROJECT HOPE IS THE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM, IN WHICH THE GUESTS LIVE AT THE MISSION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WHILE THEY RECOGNIZE WHY THEY ARE HOMELESS AND DEVELOP THE HABITS AND BEHAVIORS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO OVERCOME HOMELESSNESS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. PROJECT HOPE ALSO INCLUDES AN EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT SHELTER THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR HOMELESS MEN TO SLEEP, EAT, SHOWER, AND ATTEND CHAPEL WITHOUT THE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS THE DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM ENTAILS. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER NOT ONLY TAKES FORTY-EIGHT MEN OFF THE STREETS EACH NIGHT, BUT IT ALSO SERVES AS THE PRIMARY RECRUITING TOOL FOR THE MISSION'S LONG-TERM PROGRAM FOR MEN.THE MISSION ALSO INCLUDES A FAMILY LIFE CENTER, WHICH HOUSES THE MISSION'S PRESCHOOL, THE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GUESTS, AND EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES FOR ADULT GUESTS. THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER (ELC) IS THE MISSION'S PRESCHOOL FOR THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN OF ITS FAMILY HOME GUESTS. THE ELC CARES FOR CHILDREN FROM 6:30 A.M. TO 8:30 P.M. WEEKDAYS, IS STAFFED BY CERTIFIED PRESCHOOL TEACHERS, AND OFFERS AGE-APPROPRIATE CURRICULA FOR THE MISSION'S YOUNGEST GUESTS. FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, THE MISSION PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, TUTORING, SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN READING COMPREHENSION AND MEMORY TRAINING, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL TIME.THE MISSION OPERATES AN ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL, THE CAREER LEARNING CENTER (CLC), FOR ADULT GUESTS. THE CLC ISSUES HIGH-SCHOOL DIPLOMAS, NOT GED CERTIFICATES, AND EVERY ADULT WHO ENTERS THE MISSION WITHOUT A DIPLOMA MUST GET ONE. ADULT GUESTS ALSO TAKE COURSES ON PERSONAL FINANCE, PARENTING, TIME MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER SIMILAR TOPICS. ADDITIONALLY, MISSION GUESTS HAVE TUITION-FREE ACCESS TO SIXTY-THREE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THROUGH VALENCIA COLLEGE. GUESTS HAVE USED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, WELDING, CNC MACHINING, ELECTRONIC BOARD ASSEMBLY, AND A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER SKILLS. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, BOTH INSIDE THE MISSION AND THROUGH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, PREPARE GUESTS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT THAT LEADS TO PRODUCTIVE, PROSPEROUS CAREERS, WHICH WILL SUSTAIN THEM FINANCIALLY AND ENABLE THEM TO AVOID A RELAPSE INTO HOMELESSNESS.BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG THE HOMELESS, ESPECIALLY MEN, THE MISSION CONDUCTS AN ACTIVE, SUCCESSFUL ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM. IT INCLUDES AN INTERNAL COMPONENT, CONQUERING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, WHICH OCCURS ON MISSION PROPERTY, AND MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN CELEBRATE RECOVERY, A PUBLIC, FAITH-BASED PROGRAM. ALL GUESTS UNDERGO DRUG TESTS WHEN THEY ENTER THE MISSION AND ALSO DURING THEIR TENURE IN THE PROGRAMS, EITHER THROUGH RANDOM SELECTION OR BECAUSE OF REASONABLE SUSPICION BASED ON BEHAVIOR.THE MISSION RECOGNIZES THAT LEARNING ABOUT AND GETTING TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF ITS GUESTS' RECOVERY FROM HOMELESSNESS. CONSEQUENTLY, EVERY GUEST IS IMMERSED IN THE GOSPEL DURING HIS OR HER STAY AT THE MISSION. ALL GUESTS ATTEND CHAPEL, INITIALLY AT THE MISSION, BUT AFTER GUESTS ADJUST TO THE MISSION'S PROGRAM, THEY MAY ATTEND AN OUTSIDE CHURCH. ALL GUESTS PARTICIPATE IN BIBLE STUDIES AND RECEIVE REGULAR COUNSELING, WHICH ADDRESSES FUNCTIONAL ISSUES LIKE TIMELINESS, DISCIPLINE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT DOES SO WITH A BIBLICAL BASIS. THE MISSION HELPS GUESTS INTEGRATE INTO LOCAL CHURCHES AS THEY PREPARE TO GRADUATE FROM THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AND LEAVE ITS FACILITIES. AS A MINISTRY OF CHRIST, THE MISSION RESTS ALL ITS SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAMS ON THE OBLIGATION AND PRIVILEGE OF SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST AND SPREADING HIS KINGDOM.ALL GUESTS LIVING AT THE MISSION RECEIVE MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS DUTIES THEY PERFORM AS PART OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS AND CONSEQUENTLY RECEIVING ALL THE ACCOMPANYING BENEFITS. THOSE ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE WORKING IN THE KITCHENS, HOUSEKEEPING, FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, LANDSCAPING, AND OTHER SIMILAR EFFORTS THAT HELP OPERATE THE MISSION. THE MINISTRY ASSIGNMENTS ARE WORK THERAPY, DURING WHICH THE GUESTS DEVELOP THREE ESSENTIAL HABITS: (1) BEING ON TIME FOR WORK EVERY DAY; (2) FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS; AND (3) GETTING ALONG AND COOPERATING WITH EVERYBODY AT WORK. IF GUESTS CAN LEARN AND APPLY THOSE LESSONS, THEY WILL SUCCEED IN FINDING AND MAINTAINING REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE MISSION'S PROGRAMS.ONE PLACE GUESTS MAY SERVE THEIR MINISTRY ASSIGNMENT IS THE MISSION'S BARGAIN STORE, A THRIFT SHOP. THE SHOP IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO, AND IT SERVES FOUR IMPORTANT PURPOSES. FIRST, IT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALITY USE
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 August 1955.
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 November 4, 2026.
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