Rescue Mission of Utica 
The information on this page was last updated 6/12/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Founded in 1890, the Rescue Mission is a faith-based, nonprofit, multiple-service, charitable organization serving Utica and the Mohawk Valley. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the ministry "endeavors to assess and meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all people coming for assistance."
The Rescue Mission serves individuals overcoming homelessness, abuse, addictions, and disabilities. Our programs provide safe lodging, food, clothing, case management, counseling, advocacy, education, referrals, spiritual and other supportive services.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Rescue Mission of Utica
293 Genesee St
Utica, NY 13501-3804
Website: uticamission.org
Phone: 315-735-1645 ext 2100
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 150569359
CEO/President: Wendy Goetz
Chairman: Robert Sylvester
Board size: 16
Founder: Sam Hedley
Ruling year: 1951
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2017
Purpose
Be a conduit for God's love, grace and mercy; from which individuals can be healed, forgiven and empowered.
The rescue mission has grown in its ability to supply residency-based program aimed at: breaking the cycle of drug and alcohol dependency, housing homeless men, teaching life skills and providing residents with supportive and aftercare services so that they can learn vocational skills and obtain and maintain long-term, sustained independence.
Mission statement
Rescue Mission of Utica, Inc. is a Christian Ministry, established to proclaim, in word and deed, the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ, by unconditionally endeavoring to assess and meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those individuals seeking assistance.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 401 of 1435 | 45 of 162 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 497 of 1435 | 52 of 162 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 574 of 1435 | 59 of 162 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 566 of 1436 | 58 of 162 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $5,412,771 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 8% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 79% | 81% | 79% | 80% | 78% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 9% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 21% | 19% | 21% | 20% | 22% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 84% | 83% | 84% | 83% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 98% | 95% | 95% | 93% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 82% | 79% | 79% | 77% | 79% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 2% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 3% | 9% | 10% | 15% | 6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.56 | 0.70 | 0.79 | 0.82 | 0.74 | 0.70 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.05 | 3.86 | 3.75 | 3.40 | 3.70 | 4.27 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.08 | 2.72 | 2.94 | 2.77 | 2.73 | 3.01 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 10.26 | 3.39 | 5.05 | 3.34 | 3.75 | 5.10 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.09 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.27 | 0.20 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.14 | 3.11 | 3.27 | 3.03 | 3.22 | 3.21 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 61% | 57% | 59% | 61% | 64% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 5% | 7% | 9% | 11% | 14% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 145% | 56% | 55% | 51% | 53% | 51% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $2,170,082 | $1,359,365 | $1,455,585 | $1,492,489 | $1,451,118 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,146,567 | $1,544,319 | $1,535,348 | $1,071,136 | $697,123 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,316,649 | $2,903,684 | $2,990,933 | $2,563,625 | $2,148,241 |
| Long-term investments | $1,635,471 | $1,439,499 | $1,273,448 | $1,146,111 | $1,200,626 |
| Fixed assets | $1,620,186 | $1,699,233 | $1,726,124 | $1,538,820 | $1,453,154 |
| Other long-term assets | $6,242,519 | $4,837,511 | $4,174,507 | $4,236,479 | $4,375,356 |
| Total long-term assets | $9,498,176 | $7,976,243 | $7,174,079 | $6,921,410 | $7,029,136 |
| Total assets | $12,814,825 | $10,879,927 | $10,165,012 | $9,485,035 | $9,177,377 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $613,073 | $535,205 | $620,765 | $419,126 | $367,141 |
| Other current liabilities | $365,742 | $39,336 | $274,071 | $264,283 | $54,274 |
| Total current liabilities | $978,815 | $574,541 | $894,836 | $683,409 | $421,415 |
| Debt | $668,637 | $815,613 | $955,306 | $1,088,076 | $1,264,588 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $6,135,882 | $4,757,653 | $4,112,722 | $4,034,300 | $4,188,140 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $6,804,519 | $5,573,266 | $5,068,028 | $5,122,376 | $5,452,728 |
| Total liabilities | $7,783,334 | $6,147,807 | $5,962,864 | $5,805,785 | $5,874,143 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $5,014,531 | $4,714,160 | $4,182,188 | $3,659,290 | $3,283,274 |
| With donor restrictions | $16,960 | $17,960 | $19,960 | $19,960 | $19,960 |
| Net assets | $5,031,491 | $4,732,120 | $4,202,148 | $3,679,250 | $3,303,234 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $7,289,903 | $7,266,794 | $6,876,717 | $6,052,022 | $5,231,350 |
| Program service revenue | $1,726,977 | $1,566,161 | $1,749,600 | $1,427,934 | $1,310,905 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $81,726 | $82,021 | $45,652 | $34,515 | $112,257 |
| Other revenue | $88,860 | $66,241 | $54,609 | $37,076 | $22,836 |
| Total other revenue | $1,897,563 | $1,714,423 | $1,849,861 | $1,499,525 | $1,445,998 |
| Total revenue | $9,187,466 | $8,981,217 | $8,726,578 | $7,551,547 | $6,677,348 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $7,540,926 | $7,131,437 | $6,929,097 | $5,818,393 | $5,257,529 |
| Management and general | $1,029,207 | $1,054,048 | $994,908 | $828,239 | $867,765 |
| Fundraising | $444,082 | $365,802 | $364,728 | $361,207 | $338,084 |
| Total expenses | $9,014,215 | $8,551,287 | $8,288,733 | $7,007,839 | $6,463,378 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $173,251 | $429,930 | $437,845 | $543,708 | $213,970 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $173,251 | $429,930 | $437,845 | $543,708 | $213,970 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Wendy Goetz | Executive Director | $168,175 |
| Michael Dow | Director of Finance | $124,371 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 6/12/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In 1890, during a meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Utica, evangelist Sam Hedley stressed the need for a Rescue Mission to care for the transient and alcoholic men who were congregating on the streets. Later that year, the first Mission building was rented at 24 Liberty Street, where they provided transients and homeless men with overnight lodging and soup.
In 1891, C.W. Roberts became the Mission's first superintendent. A former alcoholic and gambler, Roberts had turned his life around at the Jerry McAuley Water Street Mission.
In 1905, the Mission was incorporated.
In 1928, the Mission purchased its first building, at 33 Genesee Street on Baggs Square. The building, which provided 36 beds, was often filled to overflowing. Alcoholism among men was on the rise and the Rescue Mission saw the need to provide a rehabilitation program.
In 1890, during a meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Utica, evangelist Sam Hedley stressed the need for a Rescue Mission to care for the transient and alcoholic men who were congregating on the streets. Later that year, the first Mission building was rented at 24 Liberty Street, where they provided transients and homeless men with overnight lodging and soup.
In 1891, C.W. Roberts became the Mission's first superintendent. A former alcoholic and gambler, Roberts had turned his life around at the Jerry McAuley Water Street Mission.
In 1905, the Mission was incorporated.
In 1928, the Mission purchased its first building, at 33 Genesee Street on Baggs Square. The building, which provided 36 beds, was often filled to overflowing. Alcoholism among men was on the rise and the Rescue Mission saw the need to provide a rehabilitation program.
In 1971, as a result of the Baggs Square expansion project, the Mission relocated to 203 Rutger Street, the first of nine buildings on its current campus.
In 1976, the Mission opened the only sobering-up station in Oneida County.
In 2015, the Mission celebrated its 125th Anniversary and implemented our new Skills for Success Job Training Program. So far 14 have graduated from the program. Many exciting things are in the works here at the Mission, so stay tuned!
In 2018, the Mission opened West Street Apartments that consists of 36 one bedroom and 6 two bedroom workforce apartments, affordable to individuals and small families with total household income at or below 50% of area median income. The complex also includes approximately 7,200 square feet of community services space, which consists of four programs operated by the Rescue Mission of Utica: Learning Center, Community Clothing Room, Food Pantry, and the Representative Payee Program. These programs deliver clothing, food, employment training and skills, and money management services to the Utica community.
Program accomplishments
Needs
Your support of the Rescue Mission equips us to reach out to men, women, children, and families with the Good News while meeting physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and practical needs. Your support results in transformed lives and hope for the future.