Main Street Ministries Houston
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Main Street Ministries (MSM) is on a mission to build paths out of poverty empowered by the love of Jesus.
- Income
- $954,412
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 378
- Highest pay
- $85,906, executive director to 7/14/24
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 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
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 May 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)
- $384,387 spent. MSM's Life Empowerment services provide participants with tools and support to avoid homelessness, achieve stability, and move toward self-sustainability through various services: financial management and life-skills education, short-term financial assistance, one-on-one coaching, and personalized community resource referrals. Our core program is a 5-month workshop that guides participants in establishing long-term goals and developing relationships and resources to support long-term sustainability.
- $214,688 spent. MSM's Identification Assistance services provide comprehensive support for obtaining Texas identification cards, birth certificates, and driver's licenses - essential documents for accessing employment, housing, banking, and other life-stabilizing resources. This 30+-year-old, volunteer-fueled program is Houston's primary ID assistance provider, receiving over 70 community agency referrals. We help individuals gather needed documentation, pay required fees, and complete applications necessary to obtain a state-issued identification card and supporting documentation.
- $14,724 spent. The MSM Community Garden allows MSM program participants and community volunteers to work side-by-side to care for a beautiful garden that glorifies God's creation. Fresh, healthy produce is harvested for the Heights Food Bank, an open zip-code food pantry that is a resource for our families.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.