Lutheran Mission Society San Diego
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The purpose of Lutheran Mission Society San Diego is to build relationships between local Lutheran congregations and the community as a means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. in an effort to create compassionate Christ-centered relationships in our communities we 1) create and support opportunities for relationship building, 2) equip Christians to practice compassion in their interactions with community members, 3) seek to cultivate community-focused engagement by local Lutheran churches, and 4) support the community through such programs as food distribution, educational programs, counseling services and community enrichment.
- Income
- $87,644
- Spending
- $182,117
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 76.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $142,350, missionary 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 76.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 108% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 79% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
- $133,912 spent. The primary responsibility of the Missionary Director is to work with our frontline missionaries. This includes helping them to develop their ministries, clarify the desired outcomes, acquire the training and development that they need, and strategies how to put their ministry plans into effect. The amount includes 80% of the Missionary Director's salary and benefits as a representation of his time and effort in this process. It also includes travel, food, and meeting expenses incurred in support of the ministry efforts.
- $13,669 spent. The mission society is committed to helping our missionaries acquire the training, experience, and connections that they need in order to execute their ministries. This amount include grants for training fees and expenses, and travel and meeting expenses for conferences.
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 November 6, 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 November 2022.
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 November 4, 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.