Wayside Christian Mission
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION IS TO RESPOND TO HUMAN NEED OF THE POOR AND HOMELESS BY (1) PROVIDING TEMPORARY HOUSING/SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, NURTURING, SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL ENRICHMENT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND REFERRALS AND (2) PROVIDING THE SUPPORT SERVICES AND SKILLS THAT WOULD PERMIT AND ENCOURAGE A RETURN TO A STATE OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY SO THAT HUMAN DIGNITY CAN BE RESTORED AND THE LOVE OF GOD CAN BE SHARED.
- Income
- $7.1 million
- Spending
- $5.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 29.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 51
- Volunteers
- 1,200
- Highest pay
- $161,000, president/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 2024, 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)
- $3.7 million spent. THE HOTEL LOUISVILLE PROGRAM PROVIDED LODGING, MEALS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO HOMELESS WOMEN IN A RECOVERY PROGRAM, RESPITE SERVICES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO PROGRAM GRADUATES, AND JOB TRAINING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, MANY PERSONS REGAINED SOBER LIVING SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, THEREBY RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY AS SELF-SUFFICIENT INDIVIDUALS.
- $1.1 million spent. WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION'S SHELTER SERVICES AT 432 E. JEFFERSON STREET STAYED AT FULL CAPACITY DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, PROVIDING EMERGENCY LODGING FOR 400 AND MORE PERSONS ON A NIGHTLY BASIS, AN AVERAGE OF 2,000 MEALS PER DAY TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. WE ALSO PROVIDED CLOTHING,CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ALL CLIENTS, AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR MEN. THE LOW BARRIER SHELTER CONTINUED TO PROVIDE LODGING, FOOD AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO 100 PERSONS NIGHTLY. MANY OF THESE CLIENTS PARTICIPATED IN OUR WORK THERAPY PROGRAM, AND THEREBY GAINED SKILLS AND JOB READINESS.
- $231,939 spent. SINCE 1992, WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION HAS PROVIDED STRONG RECOVERY PROGRAMS FOR BOTH WOMEN AND MEN. ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THIS ABSTINENCE-BASED PROGRAM ARE GIVEN FREE LODGING, MEALS, AND CLOTHING. MOST IMPORTANTLY, ALL ARE PROVIDED WITH DAILY CLASSES, WEEKLY TESTS AND DRUG SCREENS, TRANSPORTATION TO 12-STEP MEETINGS, AND REFERRALS FOR ALL MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 2024.
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 February 1962.
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.
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.