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The Companions of the Cross

EIN 76-0662617 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak27 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE RENEWAL OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD AND CHURCH INCLUDING THE EDUCATION OF SEMINARIANS AT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SEMINARIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-25.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
5
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$42,126, treas./sec.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 27 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 August 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)
  1. $893,256 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE THE RENEWAL OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD, AND TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH WHICH LAY PEOPLE MAY IMPROVE THEIR COMPREHENSION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES RESIDENCES WHEREIN MEMBERS OF THE COMPANIONS OF THE CROSS, MAY LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE A ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE AND WHEREIN THE RESIDENTS ARE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCERN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMPANIONS FOR THE PROMOTION AND STRENGTHENING OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS MINISTRY FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, ALSO TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PERSONS TO DISCERN A VOCATION TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 March 1946.

    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.