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Migrant Equity Southeast Inc

EIN 86-2199824 · Savannah, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MIGRANT EQUITY SOUTHEAST (MESE) is a Latinx and immigrant-led 501(c)(3) organization based in South Georgia that advocates for immigrant rights and engages in mutual aid, education and outreach with the migrant and refugee communities of South Georgia.

Income
$726,051
Spending
$603,862
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
8
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$63,600, executive dir.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $207,793 spent. Our advocacy work includes education advocacy, labor rights, healthcare advocacy and legal advocacy. Our Education Advocacy support consisted of: Direct Registration assistance, 1,260 school supplies distributed to 140 children, Parent teacher conferences, 3 bilingual parent workshops, School Application assistance for 30+ ESOL students, School bus enrollment, School transfers application assistance, Free or reduced lunch application assistance. Our labor rights advocacy support consisted of supporting workers impacted by wage theft, workplace abuse and workplace injuries. For our healthcare advocacy work we assisted a total of 295 individuals with various services that included COVID & flu vaccines, and Medicare, Medicaid & SNAP enrollment through a collaborative effort with our partner organizations at our office. We hosted 6 lunch & learn sessions across 6 counties in Coastal Georgia, training a total of 96 healthcare providers to deliver care for diverse populations. Our Legal advocacy supported 91 community members and included hosting various types of legal clinics, paying for DACA renewal fees and connecting community members to the legal resources they need.
  2. $148,810 spent. Our community outreach program involves going out into underserved communities and having conversations about their needs. We also talk about the services and resources that we provide and educate community members about their rights.
  3. $106,553 spent. Our Direct assistance supported at least 286 community members in South Georgia and consisted of rent assistance, food assistance, diapers, furniture, clothes, toys and household goods.
  4. $59,098 spent. Civic Engagement. As part of our Get Out the Vote campaign we knocked on 5,897 doors, sent 236,368 texts, and had 131 phone conversations.

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 September 2021.

    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.