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Desert Mission Inc

EIN 86-0096941 · Scottsdale, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To help each person entrusted in our care to enjoy the fullest gift of health possible, and to help build a community where a helping hand is available for our most vulnerable members.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$12.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2,739
Highest pay
$4.4 million, director/ceo, honorhealth

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

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 78% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $8.1 million spent. DESERT MISSION, INC. OFFERS SEVERAL FREE AND REDUCED COST FOOD PROGRAMS TO ASSIST WORKING POOR FAMILIES. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY BASED CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS TO ASSIST CLIENTS IN REACHING SELF-SUFFICIENCY. ALSO INCLUDED ARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL COACHING. IN 2024, DESERT MISSION DISTRIBUTED 3,045,848 POUNDS OF FOOD ONSITE THAT SERVED A TOTAL OF 57,626 HOUSEHOLDS AND 111,127 INDIVIDUALS. MANY CLIENTS ARE WORKING POOR FAMILIES AND SENIORS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME.
  2. $2.4 million spent. LINCOLN LEARNING CENTER - OFFERS QUALITY CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS. LINCOLN LEARNING CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). DURING THE 2024 SCHOOL YEAR 274 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND IN-CLASS SUPPORT. THE CENTER'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CURRICULUM PROVIDES YOUNG CHILDREN WITH THE STRONG START THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. LINCOLN LEARNING CENTER PRE-K STUDENTS HAVE A 98 PERCENT KINDERGARTEN READINESS RATE.
  3. $868,663 spent. ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE - DESERT MISSION, INC.'S ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE SENIOR ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES A COORDINATED PROGRAM OF PROFESSIONAL AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICES FOR ADULTS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED GROUP SETTING. SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SOCIAL, INCLUDING INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH THE CHILDREN ATTENDING THE LINCOLN LEARNING CENTER, AND SOME HEALTH SERVICES TO ADULTS WHO NEED SUPERVISED CARE IN A SAFE PLACE OUTSIDE THE HOME DURING THE DAY. ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE: MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDE CARE FOR THEIR SENIOR FAMILY MEMBERS. TO SUPPORT THESE FAMILIES, DESERT MISSION, INC. OFFERS ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE, A PLACE WHERE SENIORS CAN SPEND THE DAY IN A SETTING THAT'S FRIENDLY, DIGNIFIED AND STIMULATING WHILE CAREGIVERS ENJOY A BREAK FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AT ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE WELCOMES SENIORS INTO AN ACTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES HEALTH MONITORING BY A REGISTERED NURSE. SENIORS ENJOY ACTIVITIES BOTH ON AND OFF SITE. CAREGIVERS ALSO ARE OFFERED SOCIAL SERVICES AND COUNSELING TO HELP THEM IN THEIR ROLE. 63 SENIORS ATTENDED ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE IN 2024.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 1948.

    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.