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St Francis Seraph Ministries

EIN 90-0705683 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ST. FRANCIS SERAPH MINISTRIES NOURISHES AND NURTURES PEOPLE IN NEED.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
66.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
16
Volunteers
1,369
Highest pay
$100,672, executive director

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: 80 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 66.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $985,893 spent. DINING ROOM: INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMELESS AND OTHERS IN NEED ARE PROVIDED BREAKFAST AND DINNER FIVE DAYS A WEEK WHILE FINDING REFUGE IN A SAFE, HOSPITABLE, AND RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT. STAFF REFER INTERESTED GUESTS TO HOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES WHERE APPROPRIATE. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, MORE THAN 76,479 HOT MEALS WERE PROVIDED , AND 7,820 MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO THE CENTER FOR RESPITE CARE RESIDENTS. GREATER CINCINNATI BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDES ONSITE COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES TO ASSIST OUR PROGRAM GUESTS TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND MENTAL HEALTH. THIS COLLABORATION HAS RESULTED IN MANY BENEFITS FOR GUESTS, INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION OF NEEDED MEDICAL SERVICES AND JOB PLACEMENT; OVER 155 GUESTS WERE PLACED IN PERMANENT HOUSING SINCE INCEPTION.
  2. $55,151 spent. FOOT CARE FOR THE SOULS IS STAFFED BY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. IT PROVIDES FOOT CARE, SOCKS, AND SHOES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. INDIVIDUALS LIVING UNSHELTERED CAN DEVELOP SERIOUS FOOT PROBLEMS FROM THE COLD, WET FOOTWEAR, AND DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING FOOT HYGIENE. THIS IS ALSO A MEANS TO CONNECT AND ENGAGE WITH INDIVIDUALS ONE-TO-ONE, TO HELP DISRUPT THEIR ISOLATION AND CONNECT WITH OTHER SERVICES THEY MAY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO SHELTER AND A HOME. IT TRANSITIONED FROM BEING A TENANT TO BEING ACQUIRED BY THE MINISTRIES IN OCTOBER 2021 FROM MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS OF CINCINNATI WHICH IS NOW DISSOLVED.
  3. $217,805 spent. SARAH CENTER IS AN EMPOWERMENT CENTER ENCOURAGING PARTICIPANTS TO DEVELOP STRENGTHS AND TALENTS IN ORDER TO BUILD POSITIVE LIVES FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY. 'STITCHED' CLASSES TEACH SEWING SKILLS AND ALMOST HALF OF GRADUATING STUDENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN HIRED FOR SEWING POSITIONS OR STARTED THEIR OWN BUSINESS AS A RESULT. PROGRAMMING ALSO INCLUDES QUILTING AND JEWELRY CLASSES, HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, EMPOWERMENT EXPERIENCES, ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION AND THE SALE OF PARTICIPANTS' HAND-MADE PRODUCTS AS A SOURCE OF INCOME AND SELF-AFFIRMATION.
  4. $149,461 spent. BAG LUNCH MINISTRY: BAG LUNCHES ARE DISTRIBUTED IN COLLABORATION WITH RECOVERY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS AND TO GUESTS IN THE DINING ROOM. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, OVER 10,061 BAG LUNCHES WERE DISTRIBUTED, A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WHICH WERE TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. A BAG LUNCH IS THEIR FOOD FOR THE DAY FOR SOME AND TO OTHERS IN POVERTY, A PORTABLE MEAL SO THEIR LIMITED INCOME CAN BE USED MORE EFFECTIVELY FOR OTHER BASIC NEEDS.
  5. $76,923 spent. OTHER ASSISTANCE EFFORTS: THE MINISTRIES PROVIDES $40,000 IN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEVERAL STUDENTS ATTENDING ST. FRANCIS SERAPH SCHOOL. ON A LIMITED BASIS, THE MINISTRIES PROVIDES EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PAY RENT, UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO HAVE NO OTHER RECOURSE. THE FRANCISCAN PROVINCE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE BEGAN FUNDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IN 2023.

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 August 2016.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Saint Francis Ministries Inc (Salina, KS), EIN 48-1059281. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.