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Denver Rescue Mission

EIN 84-6038762 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DENVER RESCUE MISSION IS CHANGING LIVES IN THE NAME OF CHRIST BY MEETING PEOPLE AT THEIR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POINTS OF NEED WITH THE GOAL OF RETURNING THEM TO SOCIETY AS PRODUCTIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT CITIZENS.

Income
$53.0 million
Spending
$51.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
517
Volunteers
15,293
Highest pay
$302,705, president/ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $17.9 million spent. FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY, BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD, SHELTER, WATER, CLEAN RESTROOMS, SHOWERS, AND LAUNDRY SERVICES CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS. THE MISSION PROVIDES THESE SERVICES IN ORDER TO BUILD TRUST AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE WE SERVE, ENCOURAGING THEM TO CONSIDER LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: 48TH STREET CENTER, FORT COLLINS RESCUE MISSION, HOLLY CENTER, LAWRENCE STREET SHELTER, LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER, AND NEXT STEP SERVICES.
  2. $10.2 million spent. THE MISSION'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS HELP BETTER LIVES OF VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WHILE STRENGTHENING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THE MISSION PROVIDES GROCERIES, CLOTHING, FURNITURE, REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, AND MORE. THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE INCLUDED IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH: MINISTRY OUTREACH CENTER, VEHICLE DONATION PROGRAM, AND VOLUNTEERS.
  3. $8.1 million spent. THE MISSION'S TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DESPITE HAVING A JOB OR STEADY INCOME, TRANSITION INTO A SUSTAINABLE, SELF-SUFFICIENT LIFE. FROM AN ON-SITE LIVING PROGRAM TO MENTORING AND ASSISTANCE WITH THE FIRST MONTH'S RENT AND DEPOSIT ON A LONG-TERM HOUSING SOLUTION, THE MISSION'S TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF WORKING FAMILIES, THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: BRIDGE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM AT THE CROSSING AND BRIDGE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM YOUTH. PATHWAY HOME PROGRAM SERVES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AS THEY TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOUSING BY CONNECTING THEM WITH NEED SUPPORTS THAT MAY BE FINANCIAL OR COMMUNITY BASED.
  4. $6.2 million spent. IN THE NEW LIFE PROGRAM (EDUCATION), THE MISSION EQUIPS MEN TO OVERCOME VARIOUS CHALLENGES SUCH AS BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, JOB LOSS, LACK OF EDUCATION, AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AND DEVELOP A RENEWED SENSE OF HOPE AND IDENTITY. THE MISSION OFFERS THE NEW LIFE PROGRAM AT TWO LOCATIONS: NEW LIFE PROGRAM AT THE CROSSING AND NEW LIFE PROGRAM AT HARVEST FARM.

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 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 June 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 March 1931.

    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.