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Union Rescue Mission

EIN 95-1709293 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNION RESCUE MISSION EMBRACES PEOPLE WITH THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST. WE ASSIST PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BY PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF EMERGENCY AND LONG-TERM SERVICES TO OUR GUESTS, INCLUDING: FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE, RECOVERY PROGRAMS, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND JOB TRAINING TO NEEDY MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES.

Income
$68.4 million
Spending
$51.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
16.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
280
Volunteers
8,802
Highest pay
$250,038, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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. $25.6 million spent. RECOVERY - THE MISSION OFFERS A TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM WITH THE INTENT OF HELPING PEOPLE LEAVE SKID ROW, REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND BEGIN PRODUCTIVE LIVES IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY. DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF AN INDIVIDUAL, THE MISSION OFFERS A 12-MONTH INTENSIVE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES 2,000 HOURS OF A BIBLICAL 12-STEP STUDY, BIBLE STUDY, RECOVERY CLASSES, WORK THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, LEARNING CENTER CLASSES, AND PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES. ALSO, PARTICIPANTS ATTEND CLASSES IN ADDICTION EDUCATION, ANGER MANAGEMENT, RELAPSE PREVENTION, FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP, VOCATIONAL PREPARATION, AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING. THIS INTENSE PROGRAM IS FOLLOWED BY A TRANSITIONAL/APPRENTICESHIP PHASE LASTING FROM 6 TO 24 MONTHS TO ASSIST GRADUATES IN BECOMING EMPLOYED, SAVING MONEY, AND SECURING HOUSING.
  2. $14.9 million spent. SHELTER SERVICES - UNION RESCUE MISSION (URM) IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST RESCUE MISSION IN LOS ANGELES, FOUNDED IN 1891. URM HAS THREE MAJOR FACILITIES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, ALL PROVIDING FOOD, SHELTER, COUNSELING, MEDICAL, MENTAL, AND DENTAL CARE, AS WELL AS JOB SEARCH AND PLACEMENT. THE MAIN FACILITY IS IN LA'S SKID ROW ON SAN PEDRO STREET AND AVERAGES OVER 570 PEOPLE UNDER ROOF EACH NIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO TWO FAMILY CENTERS: HOPE GARDENS IN SYLMAR, WITH SINGLE MOTHERS, CHILDREN, AND ABOUT 25 SENIOR LADIES, WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 231 RESIDING THERE. IN ADDITION, URM BUILT AND OPENED THEIR NEW ANGELES HOUSE FAMILY CENTER IN 2022, WITH ABOUT 201 MOMS, DADS, AND KIDS THERE EACH NIGHT. URM WELCOMED OVER 5,389 PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR DOORS IN FISCAL 2025, SERVED OVER 531,953 MEALS, PROVIDED OVER 366,821 NIGHTS OF SAFE SHELTER, AND MOVED OVER 350 PEOPLE INTO A MORE PERMANENT HOUSING SITUATION.
  3. $4.2 million spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - THE MISSION OPERATES A DONATION PROGRAM WHERE DONATED GOODS ARE RECEIVED AND UTILIZED TO SUPPLEMENT PURCHASED GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING RESOURCES IN THE SHELTER AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS. NOT ALL DONATIONS CAN BE UTILIZED BY THE MISSION; IN SUCH CASES, THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED TO NUMEROUS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

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? Passed.

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

    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 April 1935.

    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.