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Merced Rescue Mission

EIN 77-0284849 · Merced, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 31% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO EXHIBIT THE LOVE AND CARING OF JESUS CHRIST; TRANSFORMING LIVES FOR THOSE IN OUR COUNTY WHO ARE IN PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEED.OUR VISION IS TO BE THE HANDS, FEE AND VOICE OF CHRIST IN MERCED COUNTY; ADVOCATING FOR THE DISPOSSESSED, BATTERED, HUNGRY AND DESTITUTE.OUR PURPOSE IS TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH EVANGELIZING, DISCIPLING, AND SERVING THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE DISADVANTED. WE PROVIDE EMERGENCY SUBSISTENCE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING SKILLS TRAINING FOR THE INTER-CITY POOR. WE ALSO STRIVE TO INFORM AND INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN CARING FOR THE PVERTY-STRICKEN, WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL BEING THE RESTORATION OF THE WHOLE PERSON.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
31%
Reserves
18.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
24
Volunteers
139
Highest pay
$77,567, treasurer

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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 102% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    31% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 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 (1)
  1. $788,177 spent. HOPE PROGRAMS:MERCED RESCUE MISSION OPERATES A NEW LIFE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM CALLED "HOPE FOR MEN," "HOPE FOR WOMEN, AND "TRANSFORMATION TO HOPE." THESE ARE 9 - 12 MONTH FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS RECEIVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION ISSUES OR SIMPLY FEELING HOPELESS. THESE PROGRAMS ADDRESS ADDICTION ISSUES, AND BUILD LIFE SKILLS THAT HELP PEOPLE BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING THROUGH FINDING JOBS. FAMILY REUNIFICATIONS ARE ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2013.

    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 December 2013.

    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.