Faithworks
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Fellowship Southwest is an ecumenical regional network of Christians and partner ministries promoting compassion, justice and connection throughout the Southwest US. Our ministry includes a network of pastors serving migrants on both sides of the Mexican border as well as folks working to alleviate hunger, address systemic racial justice, promote compassionate immigration policies and support ministries among Native American tribes in the region. Fellowship Southwest's Thriving Congregations Immigration Ministry (TCIM) builds upon and formalizes current activities of Fellowship Southwest and partner congregations along the border and in non-border locations by engaging churches in immigration ministries of compassion and justice.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $138,725, executive 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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1554% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
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
0 of 8Reports no 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $271,511 spent. FSW Border Ministry supports a vibrant network of ministries on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Support includes shelter, food, transportation, clothing and basic needs of migrant families at the US border. FSW support 8 shelters and pastors who serve 1000s of migrants each day.
- $106,330 spent. The Education and Legal Immigration Ministries of Fellowship Southwest believe we are called to love and care for the immigrant community in the United States of America. We offer legal services at low cost or pro-bono to immigrants, which is one of the most important needs they face as they navigate the American immigration legal system, and we do it with compassion and mercy, the same way that Jesus Christ loves all his children.
- $229,423 spent. Fellowship Southwest's Thriving Congregations Immigration Ministry (TCIM) builds upon and formalizes current activities of Fellowship Southwest and partner congregations along the border and in non-border locations by engaging churches in immigration ministries of compassion and justice.
- Fellowship Southwest's advocacy partnership program creates opportunities and provides education to other organizations, individuals and churches, allowing them to participate and gain experience in advocacy.
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
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 December 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 May 2021.
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.
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.