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Desire Street Ministries

EIN 72-1218825 · Atlanta, GA

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

TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR BY REVITALIZING UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH SPIRITUAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
36.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
7
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$228,627, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 10 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. $685,099 spent. COACH AND CARE - DESIRE STREET STRATEGICALLY ENCOURAGES, EQUIPS AND CONNECTS LEADERS. THIS CREATES THE LONG-TERM IMPACT NECESSARY FOR NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION. THROUGH 3-5 YEAR PARTNERSHIPS, WE JOURNEY ALONGSIDE LEADERS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THEY THRIVE IN LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH, AND MINISTRY EFFECTIVENESS. TO REACH THIS GOAL, WE OFFER OUR PARTNERS INTENSIVE TRAINING, COACHING AND MENTORING, RETREATS, AND COUNSELING.
  2. $84,810 spent. INVEST AND REVITALIZE - DESIRE STREET SUPPORTS LEADERS THROUGH BOARD DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING, COACHING, AND ASSESSMENTS TO GAUGE ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH. WE SEEK TO STEWARD FUNDS WELL THROUGH PRUDENT BUDGETING AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS. WE PROVIDE RESOURCES AND COUNSEL TO A WIDER RANGE OF COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO SEEK OUR EXPERTISE.
  3. $124,710 spent. EDUCATE AND ENGAGE - DESIRE STREET GATHERS AND DIRECTS RESOURCES TOWARD THE GOAL OF REVITALIZING UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS. WE RAISE AWARENESS OF THE OVERWHELMING CHALLENGES, AND CELEBRATE SUCCESSES, WITH THOUSANDS OF KIDS AND FAMILIES IMPACTED. THIS ENGAGES COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, AND CREATES SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY IN OUR CITIES. DESIRE STREET SERVES AS THE INTERSECTION OF LIVES, LEADERS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

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 October 1992.

    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.