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Lutheran Social Services of Alaska Inc

EIN 94-3055592 · Anchorage, AK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDING HOPE BY RESPONDING TO HUMAN NEEDS THROUGH SERVICES THAT SUSTAIN AND TRANSFORM LIVES.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
4
Volunteers
1,540
Highest pay
$102,559, executive di

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 (3)
  1. $999,828 spent. FOOD PANTRY IN FY25 WE DISTRIBUTED 514,727 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 14,599 HOUSEHOLDS OR 31,969 INDIVIDUALS. THESE NUMBERS ARE TRACKED THROUGH PANTRYSOFT REGISTRATION SYSTEM. EACH HOUSEHOLD HAS A RECORD OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD BY AGE. THESE NUMBERS ARE DOWN FROM FY24 AS THE COVID SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL FOOD PROGRAMS HAD ENDED. THE LSSA FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK, TUESDAY-FRIDAY FOR 3 HOURS EACH DAY. MOBILE FOOD PANTRY IN FY25 OUR MOBILE FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTED 237,435 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 9,136 HOUSEHOLDS OR 31,367 INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR DISTRIBUTION SITE IN THE PARKING LOT OF LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE LOCATED AT 1847 W. NORTHERN LIGHTS BLVD. WE OPERATE EVERY TUESDAY FROM 3:30PM TO 6:00PM UNLESS IT IS A HOLIDAY OR IF WE CANCEL DUE WEATHER. WE TRACK THE REGISTRATION THAT WE REPORT TO THE FOOD BANK OF ALASKA. THE FOOD BANK WEIGHS THE FOOD BEFORE THEY BRING IT TO THE SITE FOR DISTRIBUTION. FOOD PANTRY IN FY25 WE DISTRIBUTED 514,727 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 14,599 HOUSEHOLDS OR 31,969 INDIVIDUALS. THESE NUMBERS ARE TRACKED THROUGH PANTRYSOFT REGISTRATION SYSTEM. EACH HOUSEHOLD HAS A RECORD OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD BY AGE. THESE NUMBERS ARE DOWN FROM FY24 AS THE COVID SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL FOOD PROGRAMS HAD ENDED. THE LSSA FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK, TUESDAY-FRIDAY FOR 3 HOURS EACH DAY. MOBILE FOOD PANTRY IN FY25 OUR MOBILE FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTED 237,435 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 9,136 HOUSEHOLDS OR 31,367 INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR DISTRIBUTION SITE IN THE PARKING LOT OF LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE LOCATED AT 1847 W. NORTHERN LIGHTS BLVD. WE OPERATE EVERY TUESDAY FROM 3:30PM TO 6:00PM UNLESS IT IS A HOLIDAY OR IF WE CANCEL DUE WEATHER. WE TRACK THE REGISTRATION THAT WE REPORT TO THE FOOD BANK OF ALASKA. THE FOOD BANK WEIGHS THE FOOD BEFORE THEY BRING IT TO THE SITE FOR DISTRIBUTION.
  2. $92,669 spent. ROOSEVELT ROOSEVELT HOUSE IS A HOUSING UNIT THAT HAVE OPERATED SINCE 1994 FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES LOCATED AT 2300 ROOSEVELT DRIVE AND CONSISTS OF 5 ONE BEDROOM UNITS AND 1 TWO BEDROOM UNIT APARTMENTS. DURING FY25 WE HAD 4 ONE BEDROOM UNITS OCCUPIED CLOSE TO 100% WITH ONE UNIT CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. THE TWO BEDROOM UNIT WAS OCCUPIED 100% OF THE TIME. TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM (TLP) TLP HAS BEEN A PROGRAM OF LSSA OF LSSA SINCE 1994 ALSO. THIS FOUR APARTMENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 804 W. 16TH AVENUE. IT IS A PROGRAM FOR SINGLE HOMELESS MEN. WE HAVE A RESIDENT MANAGER WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THE UNIT AND THE OTHER 3 UNITS HOUSE ONE INDIVIDUAL. IN JUNE 2025 THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO SELL THE BUILDING AS WE HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY COSTLY TO FIX. WE DID SOME WORK ON THE BUILDING GETTING READY FOR SALE AND IT WENT ON THE MARKET DECEMBER 2025 AFTER THE LAST TENANT MOVED OUT. ROOSEVELT ROOSEVELT HOUSE IS A HOUSING UNIT THAT HAVE OPERATED SINCE 1994 FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES LOCATED AT 2300 ROOSEVELT DRIVE AND CONSISTS OF 5 ONE BEDROOM UNITS AND 1 TWO BEDROOM UNIT APARTMENTS. DURING FY25 WE HAD 4 ONE BEDROOM UNITS OCCUPIED CLOSE TO 100% WITH ONE UNIT CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. THE TWO BEDROOM UNIT WAS OCCUPIED 100% OF THE TIME. TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM (TLP) TLP HAS BEEN A PROGRAM OF LSSA OF LSSA SINCE 1994 ALSO. THIS FOUR APARTMENT BUILDING LOCATED AT 804 W. 16TH AVENUE. IT IS A PROGRAM FOR SINGLE HOMELESS MEN. WE HAVE A RESIDENT MANAGER WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THE UNIT AND THE OTHER 3 UNITS HOUSE ONE INDIVIDUAL. IN JUNE 2025 THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO SELL THE BUILDING AS WE HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY COSTLY TO FIX. WE DID SOME WORK ON THE BUILDING GETTING READY FOR SALE AND IT WENT ON THE MARKET DECEMBER 2025 AFTER THE LAST TENANT MOVED OUT.
  3. $305,373 spent. DIRECT ASSISTANCE WE HELPED THE FOLLOWING IN OUR DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. BIRTH CERTIFICATE (ALASKAN BORN) 403 BIRTH CERTIFICATES (BORN OUT OF STATE) 57 ALASKA STATE IDS 837 ALAKA DRIVERS LICENSE 13 RESTRICTED ALASKAN IDS OR DRIVER LICENSE 18 NEW PROGRAM FOR LSSA THIS FY WAS REAL IDS AND DRIVER LICENSE REAL IDS 52 REAL DRIVER LICENSE 55 BUS PASSES 7 GAS CARDS 55 CARRS/SAFEWAY GIFT CARDS 35 PRESCRIPTION HELP 12 UTIITY ASSISTANCE 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE 8 STRANDED RURAL ALASKANS 6 WE HELPED 1,464 INDIVIDUALS WITH VOUCHERS FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN FY25. THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE HAS BEEN THOSE NEEDING REAL IDS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED ON MAY 7, 2025. WE TRACK THIS INFORMATION IN FORMSTACK. MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION ANYONE SEEKING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM DOCTORS APPOINTMENT OR MEDICAL PROCEDURES CAN CALL US FOR A RIDE IN OUR PROGRAM WITH ALASKA YELLOW CAB. WE PROVIDED 349 CLIENTS WITH MORE THAN 650 RIDES. WE TRACK THIS INFORMATION ON AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET. GOLDEN CONNECTIONS OUR NEWEST PROGRAM IS GOLDEN CONNECTIONS WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS SENIORS FIGHT ISOLATION THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCED DURING COVID 19. WE HOST MONTHLY IF NOT TWICE PROGRAMS WITH LUNCH; SUCH AS GCI CELL PHONE CLASSES, VALENTINE DAY PARTY, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, A CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR, DAY AT THE MUSEUM, TOUR OF THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, COOKING CLASSES, SUMMER PICNIC AT KINCAID PARK, ETC. WE HAVE OVER 300 SENIORS CONNECTED WITH US AND HOLD TO CONTINUE GROW THIS PROGRAM. DIRECT ASSISTANCE WE HELPED THE FOLLOWING IN OUR DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. BIRTH CERTIFICATE (ALASKAN BORN) 403 BIRTH CERTIFICATES (BORN OUT OF STATE) 57 ALASKA STATE IDS 837 ALAKA DRIVERS LICENSE 13 RESTRICTED ALASKAN IDS OR DRIVER LICENSE 18 NEW PROGRAM FOR LSSA THIS FY WAS REAL IDS AND DRIVER LICENSE REAL IDS 52 REAL DRIVER LICENSE 55 BUS PASSES 7 GAS CARDS 55 CARRS/SAFEWAY GIFT CARDS 35 PRESCRIPTION HELP 12 UTIITY ASSISTANCE 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE 8 STRANDED RURAL ALASKANS 6 WE HELPED 1,464 INDIVIDUALS WITH VOUCHERS FOR THESE PROGRAMS IN FY25. THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE HAS BEEN THOSE NEEDING REAL IDS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED ON MAY 7, 2025. WE TRACK THIS INFORMATION IN FORMSTACK. MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION ANYONE SEEKING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM DOCTORS APPOINTMENT OR MEDICAL PROCEDURES CAN CALL US FOR A RIDE IN OUR PROGRAM WITH ALASKA YELLOW CAB. WE PROVIDED 349 CLIENTS WITH MORE THAN 650 RIDES. WE TRACK THIS INFORMATION ON AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET. GOLDEN CONNECTIONS OUR NEWEST PROGRAM IS GOLDEN CONNECTIONS WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS SENIORS FIGHT ISOLATION THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCED DURING COVID 19. WE HOST MONTHLY IF NOT TWICE PROGRAMS WITH LUNCH; SUCH AS GCI CELL PHONE CLASSES, VALENTINE DAY PARTY, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, A CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR, DAY AT THE MUSEUM, TOUR OF THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, COOKING CLASSES, SUMMER PICNIC AT KINCAID PARK, ETC. WE HAVE OVER 300 SENIORS CONNECTED WITH US AND HOLD TO CONTINUE GROW THIS PROGRAM.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

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

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (Des Plaines, IL), EIN 36-2584799. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.