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From the Ground Up Ministries Inc

EIN 81-3766503 · Cape Coral, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GROUND UP MINISTRIES IS A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION OF TEENAGE GIRLS RESCUED FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING. WE PROVIDE A SECURE, SAFE-HOME ENVIRONMENT INTEGRATED WITH A MULTI-PHASE HOLISTIC RECOVERY PROGRAM ENCOMPASSING TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY, EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND SPIRITUAL MENTORSHIP TO EQUIP SURVIVORS FOR INDEPENDENT FUTURES.

Income
$639,695
Spending
$603,435
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
14
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$44,992, c.o.o.

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 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 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $585,061 spent. OPERATES A SPECIALIZED SAFE HOME PROVIDING 24/7 TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. THIS PHASE FOCUSES ON ESTABLISHING IMMEDIATE SAFETY, MEDICAL STABILITY, AND BUILDING FOUNDATIONAL TRUST FOR SURVIVORS ENTERING THE PROGRAM. DELIVERS COMPREHENSIVE FAITH-BASED THERAPY AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING TAILORED TO DEEP-SEATED TRAUMA. FOCUSES ON SELF-AWARENESS, BEHAVIORAL CHANGE, AND HELPING GIRLS EMBRACE THEIR INHERENT WORTH AND SPIRITUAL IDENTITY. PRIORITIZES ACADEMIC RESOURCES AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO ENSURE RESIDENTS REACH EDUCATIONAL MILESTONES. SUPPORTS THE "TRANSITION" PHASE TO PREPARE SURVIVORS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION.
  2. $18,374 spent. DEPRECATION
  3. IN 2025, THE MINISTRY RESPONDED TO A SURGE IN REFERRALS, MAINTAINING FULL CAPACITY AND PROVIDING 3,409 SAFE NIGHTS OF REST FOR CHILD VICTIMS OF EXPLOITATION. PROVIDED OVER 300 SESSIONS OF FAITH-BASED COUNSELING AND MENTORING. SUCCESSFULLY MOVED SURVIVORS THROUGH CRITICAL HEALING MILESTONES, INCLUDING ONE RESIDENT FROM A "TOP FIVE" WORST TRAFFICKING CASE IN FLORIDA INTO ACTIVE EDUCATIONAL RECOVERY. DELIVERED 3,192 TUTORING SESSIONS , ENABLING RESIDENTS TO REACH THEIR CORRECT GRADE LEVELS AND ACHIEVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS OR GEDS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.