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Mission Lazarus

EIN 75-3151070 · Nashville, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CULTIVATE DIGNITY AND PURPOSE SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN LIVE ABUNDANT LIVES NOW AND FOR ETERNITY.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
5
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$188,500, ceo/president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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 (3)
  1. $542,147 spent. MISSION LAZARUS OPERATES THE REFUGE IN HONDURAS, A RESIDENTIAL CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, CHRIST-CENTERED HOME FOR NEGLECTED, ORPHANED, AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN. CHILDREN LIVE IN FAMILY-STYLE HOMES WHERE THEY RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS MEALS, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP. THE REFUGE SEEKS TO PREPARE EACH CHILD FOR A PRODUCTIVE, INDEPENDENT ADULTHOOD WHILE PROVIDING THE LOVE, STABILITY, AND OPPORTUNITIES EVERY CHILD DESERVES.
  2. $2.7 million spent. THE HACIENDA SERVES AS MISSION LAZARUS' PRIMARY MINISTRY CAMPUS IN HONDURAS. FROM THIS LOCATION, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES ITS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, WAREHOUSE, PRIVATE SCHOOL, VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS, MEDICAL CLINIC, COFFEE FARM, GUEST LODGE, RESTAURANT, AND OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. THESE MINISTRIES WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POVERTY BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN HONDURAS.
  3. $169,493 spent. MISSION LAZARUS OPERATES CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS IN BOTH HONDURAS AND HAITI THAT PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO CHILDREN LIVING IN SOME OF THE REGION'S MOST IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS MEALS, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. FOR MANY STUDENTS, THE MEALS PROVIDED AT SCHOOL REPRESENT THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCE OF DAILY NUTRITION, WHILE THE EDUCATION THEY RECEIVE CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPAND THE "OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES" DESCRIPTION (OR INCLUDE THIS LANGUAGE IN SCHEDULE O, IF THAT IS THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION) TO BETTER REPRESENT THE FULL SCOPE OF OUR MINISTRY. I WOULD SUGGEST SOMETHING ALONG THESE LINES:OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE, MOBILE MEDICAL CLINICS, CHURCH PLANTING AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION THROUGH HOUSES OF PEACE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, AGRICULTURAL TRAINING, COFFEE PRODUCTION, ARTISAN ENTERPRISES, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, DISASTER RESPONSE, HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN HONDURAS AND HAITI.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 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 February 2005.

    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 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.