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Miracle Messages

EIN 82-4179328 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MIRACLE MESSAGES HELPS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS REBUILD THEIR SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND FINANCIAL SECURITY, PRIMARILY THROUGH FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES, A PHONE BUDDY PROGRAM, AND BASIC INCOME PILOTS.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
23.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
13
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$163,687, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.8 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 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 215% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
  1. $290,978 spent. MIRACLE FRIENDS: MIRACLE FRIENDS MATCHES UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS WITH TRAINED VOLUNTEERS FOR WEEKLY PHONE CALLS AND TEXTS. WE RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM CASE MANAGERS, VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOOKING TO BUILD SOCIAL CONNECTIONS. WE MATCH PARTICIPANTS WITH VOLUNTEERS USING KEY DATA TO PREDICT SEEDS OF CONNECTION THAT CAN BLOSSOM. WE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO BOTH VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS AS REQUESTED. AS THE RELATIONSHIP GROWS, WE TAILOR SUPPORT TO THE RELATIONSHIP STATUS. IN 2024, 470 REFERRALS CONNECTED WITH A VOLUNTEER (MATCHED PHONE BUDDIES), 17K INTERACTIONS WERE LOGGED DOCUMENTING OVER 131K MINUTES OF CONVERSATION AND CONNECTION.
  2. $406,328 spent. MIRACLE MONEY: MIRACLE MONEY EXPLORES DIRECT CASH THROUGH DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTION MODELS.THE COMBINATION OF CASH AND SOCIAL CONNECTION SUPPORTS AGENCY, WELL-BEING, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING-KEY INGREDIENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION. WE TAKE A "CASH PLUS" APPROACH, WHICH INCLUDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS THAT CREATE CONDITIONS FOR LASTING CHANGE, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO MOVE BEYOND SURVIVAL AND TOWARD LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SELF-DETERMINED SUCCESS. DISTRIBUTION MODELS INCLUDE: A) DIRECT CASH TRANSFERS OF $300/MONTHLY FOR ONE YEAR TO PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE ENGAGED IN OUR PHONE BUDDY PROGRAM FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS (DIGNITY FUNDS); B) $750/MONTHLY FOR ONE YEAR FOR PARTICIPANTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROGRAMS RUN BY 5 PARTNERING HOMELESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (THRIVING COMMUNITY FUND); C) OTHER FORMS OF CASH SUCH AS TRAVEL FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC REUNION NEEDS OR ONE TIME BACKUP RELIEF FUNDS. WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED $1.1M THROUGH MIRACLE MONEY, $970K OF WHICH WAS THROUGH BASIC INCOME.
  3. $159,341 spent. REUNION SERVICES: WE RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM CASE MANAGERS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS REQUESTING RECONNECTION WITH A LOVED ONE. WITH CONSENT FROM THE LOVED ONE, WE FACILITATE THE REUNION. OUR TRAINED DIGITAL DETECTIVES SEARCH FOR LOVED ONES ACROSS THE COUNTRY USING PUBLIC RECORDS AND ONLINE TOOLS. WITH DUAL CONSENT, WE FACILITATE A REUNION. THIS IS TYPICALLY AN INITIAL PHONE CALL THROUGH THE CASE MANAGER OR REFERRING PARTY. IN 2024, WE FACILITATED 182 REUNIONS, LEADING TO MORE THAN 1000 REUNIONS TOTAL.
  4. $186,827 spent. STORYTELLING/NARRATIVE CHANGES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 July 2019.

    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.