Lutheran Social Service of Colorado
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ROOTED IN THE VALUES OF KINDNESS, DIGNITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, LFSRM STRENGHTENS COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCE COORDINATION TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION.
- Income
- $34.5 million
- Spending
- $33.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 92%
- Employees
- 386
- Volunteers
- 450
- Highest pay
- $195,851, ceo/president
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
Weak: 49 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 54% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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.
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $8.8 million spent. FOSTER CARE SERVICES: IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM'S FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS PROVIDED 50,856 NIGHTS OF CARE FOR 220 CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACROSS THE FRONT RANGE OF COLORADO WHO WERE UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOME OR WITH FAMILY. THE PROGRAM CARED FOR 140 YOUTH WHO WERE TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT, 78 UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS WHOSE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WERE UNABLE TO BE LOCATED AFTER HAVING FLED THEIR HOME COUNTRIES DUE TO WAR, UNREST OR OTHER VALID CONCERNS FOR SAFETY, AND 2 UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN IN THE CUSTODY OF THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT WHILE SEEKING IMMIGRATION RELIEF. LFSRM CERTIFIES AND TRAINS PARENTS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CARE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO ARE UNABLE TO BE CARED FOR BY THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS OR KIN AND PROVIDES ONGOING SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING OF CHILDREN IN CARE. THE AGENCY PROVIDES EVIDENCE BASED TRAINING TO ENSURE FAMILIES ARE WELL PREPARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN PLACED IN THEIR HOMES IN A TRAUMA INFORMED MANNER. ADDITIONALLY, THE AGENCY PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CASE MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCED SUPPORTS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND SPECIALIZE CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE FOSTER CARE AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES THAT FACILITATE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNABLE TO BE REUNIFIED WITH THEIR FAMILY OR KIN. IN FY 2025, LFSRM MAINTAINED A COMBINED PLACEMENT STABILITY RATE OF ONLY 0.9 CHANGES IN PLACEMENT PER 1,000 NIGHTS OF CARE, FAR BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE OF 3.4 MOVES PER 1,000 NIGHTS OF CARE FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
- $20.6 million spent. REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES: IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM'S REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS SERVED 5,973 INDIVIDUALS FROM 62 COUNTRIES WITH RESETTLEMENT SERVICES IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND MONTANA. LFSRM PROVIDES QUALITY CASE MANAGEMENT AND A RANGE OF SERVICES TO FACILITATE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, ASSISTING WITH HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND CONNECTION TO A VARIETY OF OTHER SERVICES TO MEET INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY NEEDS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, CLIENTS SERVED BY LFSRM'S RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS WERE ON AVERAGE PLACED IN PERMANENT HOUSING WITHIN 6.39 DAYS OF ARRIVAL AND WERE EMPLOYED WITHIN 4.33 MONTHS OF ARRIVAL. ADDITIONAL SERVICES THIS YEAR INCLUDED REFUGEE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, YOUTH FOCUSED SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILL BUILDING AND MENTORING SERVICES, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR REFUGEE WOMEN. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERED MICRO-LOANS AND INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS CREATION AND ASSET ATTAINMENT.
- $411,999 spent. ADOPTION & BIRTH PARENT COUNSELING: LFSRM PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF PREGNANCY COUNSELING AND ADOPTION SERVICES. CLIENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED PREGNANCIES RECEIVE UNBIASED AND ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL OPTIONS, ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE A WELL-INFORMED DECISION THEY CAN FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT. CLIENTS RECEIVE FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT REGARDLESS OF THE OPTION THEY CHOOSE AND RECEIVE RELINQUISHMENT COUNSELING WHEN NEEDED. FOR CLIENTS WHO CHOOSE ADOPTION, LFSRM HELPS TO MATCH THE CHILD WITH AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY AND ASSISTS THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF THE LEGAL PROCESS. LFSRM'S ADOPTION PROGRAM SUPPORTS OPEN ADOPTIONS, PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS, INCLUDING FINALIZATION OF THEIR ADOPTIVE CHILD. DESIGNATED ADOPTION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE ALREADY MATCHED WITH A BIRTH MOTHER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR ADOPTIONS. LFSRM ALSO PROVIDES HOME STUDY APPROVALS FOR INTERNATIONAL AND NON-PUBLIC INTERSTATE ADOPTIONS IN THE STATE OF COLORADO. IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM PROVIDED OPTIONS COUNSELING FOR 49 PARENTS FACING UNEXPECTED PREGNANCIES AND RELINQUISHMENT COUNSELING FOR 18 PARENTS REFERRED BY LOCAL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF HUMAN SERVICES. LFSRM'S ADOPTION PROGRAM COMPLETED 13 PRIVATE ADOPTIVE PLACEMENTS DURING THE YEAR.
- $347,152 spent. OLDER ADULT SERVICES: IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM'S OLDER ADULT PROGRAM ACTED AS THE LEGAL GUARDIAN FOR 73 INDIVIDUALS WITH NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS RELATED TO DEMENTIA, ALZHEIMER DISEASE, OR MASSIVE STROKE WHO WERE DETERMINED BY THEIR DOCTOR TO LACK CAPACITY TO PROVIDE INFORMED CONSENT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT AND WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES OR "SURROGATE" DECISION MAKER TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF. THE PROGRAM PARTNERED WITH HOSPITAL SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CLIENTS TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVED APPROPRIATE MEDICAL CARE AND WERE ABLE TO DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL TO LIVE IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR NEEDS. THE PROGRAM LARGELY WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INDIGENT, MANY OF WHOM ARE VETERANS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. IN THE PAST YEAR 72% OF THOSE SERVED WERE LOW- OR NO-INCOME MEDICAID ELIGIBLE AND 56.3% OF INDIVIDUALS WERE UNHOUSED PRIOR TO BEING HOSPITALIZED. LFSRM PROVIDES OVERSIGHT AND CARE TO INDIVIDUALS THROUGH END OF LIFE, INCLUDING SHORT TERM SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED TO BE WITHIN 3 TO 6 MONTHS OF PASSING TO ALLOW THEM TO RECEIVE HOSPICE CARE IN THEIR FINAL DAYS. THE PROGRAM HONORS THE DIGNITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL AND VALUES EVERY PERSON'S SELF-DETERMINATION AND DECISION MAKING ABILITY TO THE DEGREE POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING.
- $304,593 spent. FAMILY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SERVICES: LFSRM PROVIDES A RANGE OF PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT FAMILIES, IMPROVE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND EDUCATE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ON SAFETY AND PARENTING TOPICS. LFSRM OFFERS BOTH COURT ORDERED AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES TO PROVIDE BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PREVENTION IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. SERVICES INCLUDE A FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER IN EL PASO COUNTY WHICH OFFERS THE STATE'S ONLY EMERGENCY RESPITE CENTER, PROVIDING FREE CHILD CARE TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS; A SUPERVISED FAMILY TIME PROGRAM IN WELD COUNTY THAT ENSURES THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN WHILE ALLOWING THEM TO MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS IN HIGH CONFLICT SITUATIONS; AND EVIDENCE BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN EL PASO, LARIMER, AND WELD COUNTIES. IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM PROVIDED FAMILY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SERVICES TO 5,821 CHILDREN AND 605 UNIQUE FAMILIES.
- $274,293 spent. DISASTER RELIEF: IN THE PAST YEAR, LFSRM PROVIDED DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE TO A SMALL NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WHO WERE IMPACTED BY THE ALEXANDER MOUNTAIN FIRE WHICH OCCURRED IN LARIMER COUNTY IN LATE JULY. RECOVERY NAVIGATORS PROVIDED SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES INCLUDING EDUCATION ON AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND REBUILDING PROCESSES, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL CARE, AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF IMPACTED RESIDENTS.
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
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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