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Merrimack Valley Dream Center Inc

EIN 81-4754411 · Lawrence, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide resources and support that transform lives in the Merrimack Valley through residential and community outreach programs.

Income
$487,689
Spending
$441,710
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
5
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$15,000, president and execuitve director

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 115% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (7)
  1. $218,581 spent. Fresh Start Mobile Shower. The Fresh Start mobile shower & laundry units provide unhoused residents with access to hot showers and the ability to wash and dry their clothes with dignity. Toiletries and other essential hygiene items are also provided. Services are offered in downtown Haverhill MA on Monday Wednesday Friday and Saturday from 9am-2:30PM and in Lawrence MA on Monday Tuesday Thursday and Saturday from 10AM - 3PM. In 2025 the program delivered 1,689 showers completed 892 loads of laundry distributed 3,560 hygiene kits and made 55 referrals to partner organizations for additional services including housing assistance detox programs and public benefits support. Program service expenses reflect the costs incurred to operate the program during the year. A portion of grant funding received supports multi-year program activities; accordingly amounts reported as grants above represent funds expended for program services during the current year.
  2. $150,812 spent. Food Truck Ministry Mobile Food Pantry. The Merrimack Valley Dream Centers Food Truck Ministry provides free groceries to under resourced individuals and families in local communities with a focus on housing developments and neighborhoods experiencing food insecurity. The program also connects guests with partner agencies that offer additional support services. In 2025 the program distributed 143,891 pounds of food and served 3,708 households. Food distributed through this program includes donated food and goods purchased with donated funds. Program service expenses reflect the costs incurred to operate the program during the year including the value of non-cash food distributed. A portion of grant funding supports ongoing and multi-year program activities; accordingly amounts reported as grants above represent funds expended for program services during the current year.
  3. $6,979 spent. Celebrate Recovery CR seeks to bring healing power into lives through enhanced Twelve Step Recovery Principles. CR is for both men and women. The mens and womens discussion groups deal with a variety of issues including but not limited to gambling pornography relationships abuse co-dependency eating disorders depression anger control forgiveness resentment and chemical dependency. In 2025 we had 827 guests 9 graduates of 12 Step study and 24 guest speakers. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.
  4. $1,438 spent. Since Adopt-A-Block was established in the year 2020 more than 2,000 lives have been impacted. Through this outreach the Dream Center partners with many volunteers and other organizations to serve in underserved neighborhoods with the goal of finding and filling needs. These outreach programs provide assistance in the form of food clothing hygiene items back 2 school backpacks Thanksgiving blessing kits and more. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.
  5. $3,577 spent. Bridge Ministry has had a consistent presence in Lawrence since December 2013 serving the homeless and disadvantaged including many living on the streets or in shelters. Our teams operate every Saturday regardless of the weather to meet people where they are: on the streets in parks and under bridges. We provide tents for shelter bagged lunches and essentials like socks gloves hats and personal care items. More importantly we offer hope guidance encouragement prayer and unconditional love to people who are struggling and hurting. In 2025 we served 1,075 persons by providing over 3,600 bagged lunches and 1225 hygiene kits. We have built relationships with many individuals based on love and trust and we have shared our own stories of life change. This builds the bridges needed to be able to engage those we serve in meaningful ways. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.
  6. $8,143 spent. Shuttle Ministry. Each weekend the Dream Center Shuttle Ministry provides rides to church services for individuals who lack transportation. Shuttle Ministry seeks to build a sense of community to let people know that they belong and are loved. Pick up locations may vary and are communicated directly to those whom we serve. 110 persons used our Shuttle services in 2025 for rides to treatment facilities various support programs and events. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.
  7. $7,296 spent. Canopy of Hope. The Canopy of Hope was a pilot program initiated in 2022 that provided next step transitional housing counseling and skills training to individuals in recovery who had completed halfway house programs. The trial phase concluded in 2024 and there were carryover expenses in 2025. This program is being redesigned with plans for future implementation. This program is funded through general contributions of the organization rather than program-specific grant funding.

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 August 2017.

    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.