Dismas Ministry Inc

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
391895019
IRS 990 coverage
2009–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024
Location
Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone
4144862383
Rating
74
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Moderate
Affiliation
Christianity

Official website

Reported finances

Revenue
$484,349
Expenses
$359,158
Assets
$822,980
Liabilities
$17,497

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Amounts in USD.

Leadership & pay

9 people listed

Executive titles in this filing

  • FR FREDERICK ZAGONE SJ (PRESIDENT)
  • JULIANN JOERRES (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
  • MARY TYLER CURTIS (FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

Highest reported compensation

  • JULIANN JOERRES (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR): $47,452 total reported compensation
  • MARY TYLER CURTIS (FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR): $38,213 total reported compensation

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Names and roles reflect this filing, not necessarily current officeholders.

Overview

Mission

Our mission is to renew and strengthen the faith of the imprisoned by providing them with free catholic scripture, faith and prayer resources.

What it reported doing in 2024

Free distribution of catholic spiritual resources to individuals who are incarcerateddismas ministry's primary program service is the free distribution of catholic spiritual resources to individuals who are incarcerated throughout the united states. During the fiscal year, the organization provided bibles, catechisms, prayer books, rosaries, prayer cards, and structured faith-formation study courses in english and spanish to thousands of individuals in prisons, jails, and detention centers.resources were distributed through direct written requests from incarcerated individuals as well as bulk ministry requests from chaplains and prison ministers serving correctional facilities nationwide. These materials support personal prayer, sacramental preparation, faith formation, and spiritual rehabilitation, helping individuals deepen their relationship with god during incarceration.during the fiscal year, dismas ministry provided resources to an estimated 3,500+ individuals who are incarcerated, shipped over 6,000 bibles, and processed an average of 20+ pieces of correspondence per week from incarcerated individuals seeking spiritual support.prison ministry network support and chaplain resource programdismas ministry supports a national prison ministry network of chaplains, prison ministers, volunteers, and correctional faith leaders by providing free program materials, curriculum, and logistical support. This program ensures that those ministering inside correctional facilities have access to approved, high-quality catholic resources at no cost.during the fiscal year, dismas ministry fulfilled ministry requests from chaplains and prison ministers serving facilities across the country, including prisons, jails, and detention centers. These resources were used in group bible studies, ocia formation, prayer services, correspondence courses, and independent study programs.this program strengthens and expands catholic prison ministry by removing financial and logistical barriers, allowing chaplains and volunteers to focus on direct pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment of individuals who are incarcerated.dismas ministry produces trauma-informed faith-based publications that amplify the voices, dignity, and lived experiences of individuals who are incarcerated. During the fiscal year, the organization continued production and distribution of its i am beautiful series, which features original artwork, poetry, and reflections created by women in u.s. Prisons.these publications provide a platform for creative and spiritual expression while also offering encouragement, hope, and healing to readers both inside and outside of correctional facilities. Submissions are reviewed with care, lightly edited for clarity, and published with deep respect for each individual's voice and story.in addition to print distribution, dismas ministry expanded access to its spiritual content through digital platforms, including secure correctional tablets, increasing access for individuals who may not receive physical mail. These programs emphasize dignity, resilience, and faith while fostering connection between incarcerated individuals and the broader community.

Operating model

Revenue model
Donor-supported. 95% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
Distribution model
Direct operator. The filing allocates 100% of reported program-service expenses outside its grant, affiliate-payment, and member-benefit lines. This expense classification does not rule out separately announced grant awards.
  • Includes noncash contributions: Reported contributions include donated property or goods.

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and most voting board members are independent. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and fundraising costs are high for each dollar raised.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 55
  • Transparency & Controls: 92
  • Accountability: 90
  • Sustainability: 62
  • Growth: 60

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 52.7%; rating input score 53
  • Program expense ratio: 68.1%; rating input score 68
  • Fundraising efficiency: $6.91 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: Limited
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Fail
    • Document-retention policy: Pass
    • CEO compensation review process: Pass
    • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Pass
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 25.8%; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.29; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 23.9%; rating input score 15; 15th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: -0.1% per year; rating input score 0; 30th percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 7.6% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 52.7% of revenue deployed · 68.1% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 7 of 7 board members independent · 6 of 8 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 1 filed program accomplishment · $244K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $47K · 9 people listed
  • Consistency: 23 of 23 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 4 filed schedules · includes major donors
  • Filing history: 16 filing years from 2009 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: 2 filed money-flow records
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Key Signals

Signals prioritize questions for review. They are not findings of misconduct.

  • Review — Financial Efficiency: Mission deployment rate scored 53/100.
  • High — Financial Efficiency: Fundraising efficiency scored 29/100.
  • Review — Accountability: Governance controls: 2 of 8 not reported.
  • High — Growth: Program expense growth scored 0/100.
  • High — Sustainability: Officer compensation ratio scored 15/100.
  • Moderate — Sustainability: Liabilities to assets ratio scored 40/100.