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Dsm Mutual Aid

EIN 85-2395243 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DSM Mutual Aid (DMMA) provides material and financial assistance to unhoused and housed individuals residing primarily in Polk County, Iowa. Assistance includes the distribution of propane, tents, food, water, household and personal care items, and financial support for bond payments, legal representation and other expenses related to arrest, incarceration and court proceedings. DMMA's activities are guided by principles of mutual aid and community support to address immediate needs and promote stability for individuals facing economic or legal hardship.

Income
$127,078
Spending
$204,871
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
18.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $38,910 spent. CAMP AID FUND - Every week, approximately 80 unhoused individuals in Des Moines, IA (population 204,000) receive essential supplies - including portable propane heaters, propane tanks and exchanges, tents, fire extinguishers, batteries, food, water, and other household and personal items - delivered directly to their encampment sites by a dedicated team of volunteers. DSM Mutual Aid operates entirely through volunteer efforts with no paid staff. Persons Served (Unduplicated Count): 220 - a 26% increase from the 175 individuals served in 2023, and a 132% increase from the 95 individuals served in 2020, the year DSM Mutual Aid began.
  2. $10,281 spent. BAIL FUND - During 2025, DSM Mutual Aid (DMMA) posted $39,600 in bail for five individuals in Polk and Dallas Counties, for a total of $370,000 life-to-date. All bail funds have been returned as of the filing date of this return. However, and for only the second first time in DMMA's history, a $6,000 bond was forfeited when an individual failed to appear at a 2024 court appearance for a bond originally posted in 2023. This forfeiture represents less than 2% of all bonds ever paid by DMMA. Historically, DMMA's primary focus has been posting bail for protesters arrested in Central Iowa - a priority that continues today. In recent years, DMMA has expanded its support to include incarcerated, formerly incarcerated or arrested individuals throughout Central Iowa which are not protest related. This support includes bail, commissary funds, legal and court fees, probation and fine payments, vehicle impoundment fees, and other expenses related to arrest, incarceration and court proceedings. Persons Benefited (Unduplicated Count) = 10
  3. $144,999 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP OF IOWA TRANS MUTUAL AID FUND (ITMAF) - In June 2021, DSM Mutual Aid (DMMA) began serving as fiscal sponsor for ITMAF (EIN: 99-1813384). The purpose of ITMAF is to provide financial assistance to Trans and Nonbinary individuals in Iowa as they access gender-affirming care, including travel-related expenses necessary to obtain such care. DMMA charges no administrative or fiscal sponsorship fees for this service, and all ITMAF-related income and expenses are included in DMMA's 2024 financial activity. Additional details regarding DMMA's fiscal sponsorship of ITMAF are provided in Schedule O for Part III, Line 3. Persons Benefited (Unduplicated Count) = 294 - a 147% increase from the 119 individuals served in 2023.

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 October 13, 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 October 2020.

    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 October 21, 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.