Washington City Mission 
The information on this page was last updated 7/24/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
City Mission is a Christ-centered rehabilitative homeless shelter. We facilitate the transformation of those who have descended into homelessness, hunger and despair by providing food, shelter, case management, Christian based counseling, and life-changing programming. Our goal is to help each person who walks through our doors to become a healthy, productive member of society.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Washington City Mission
84 W. Wheeling St
Washington, PA 15301
Website: citymission.org
Phone: 724-222-8530
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 251051749
CEO/President: Diana Vaughan
Chairman: Dave Tenison
Board size: 14
Founder: Reverend Burt McCausland
Ruling year: 1953
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
At City Mission, a Christ-centered rehabilitative homeless shelter, we facilitate this transformation by providing food, shelter, case management, biblical based counseling, and life-changing programming. We are dedicated to restoring the whole person through a Christ center approach that expresses God's love for them.
Mission statement
City Mission exists to share Christ, to shelter, to heal, and to restore the homeless to independent living-without discrimination. A person's descent into homelessness can only be transformed into an ascent into recovery that eliminate the barriers to independent living.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1350 of 1435 | 146 of 162 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1126 of 1435 | 129 of 162 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1172 of 1435 | 132 of 162 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1190 of 1436 | 141 of 162 |
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% | 15% | 17% | 14% | 16% | 19% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 8% | 15% | 16% | 14% | 16% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 97% | 94% | 95% | 95% | 71% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 9% | 18% | 21% | 19% | 18% | 18% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 3% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 29% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 81% | 72% | 69% | 72% | 69% | 68% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 82% | 75% | 73% | 88% | 72% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 60% | 52% | 52% | 61% | 49% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 18% | 25% | 27% | 12% | 28% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 9% | 17% | 22% | 9% | 25% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 13% | 14% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.56 | 0.39 | 0.48 | 0.47 | 0.53 | 0.51 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.05 | 5.44 | 1.32 | 2.41 | 3.15 | 3.54 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.08 | 2.14 | 0.63 | 1.14 | 1.66 | 1.80 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 10.26 | 5.58 | 24.39 | 14.29 | 10.37 | 10.80 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.09 | 0.18 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.09 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.14 | 4.61 | 18.35 | 9.80 | 6.55 | 6.06 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 9% | 6% | 7% | 18% | 18% | 21% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 11% | 15% | 19% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 145% | 239% | 195% | 174% | 156% | 155% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $3,492,033 | $6,368,925 | $6,885,389 | $4,312,692 | $3,220,754 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $400,923 | $10,201,037 | $1,634,394 | $811,468 | $1,102,702 |
| Short-term investments | $473,288 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $4,366,244 | $16,569,962 | $8,519,783 | $5,124,160 | $4,323,456 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $18,620,212 | $4,307,963 | $2,626,671 | $2,377,038 | $2,363,589 |
| Other long-term assets | $775,487 | $922,897 | $9,416,022 | $8,619,100 | $8,619,100 |
| Total long-term assets | $19,395,699 | $5,230,860 | $12,042,693 | $10,996,138 | $10,982,689 |
| Total assets | $23,761,943 | $21,800,822 | $20,562,476 | $16,120,298 | $15,306,145 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $782,919 | $679,333 | $596,369 | $494,296 | $400,304 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $782,919 | $679,333 | $596,369 | $494,296 | $400,304 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $2,318,408 | $2,407,483 | $2,848,279 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $725,153 | $870,229 | $796,922 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $725,153 | $870,229 | $3,115,330 | $2,407,483 | $2,848,279 |
| Total liabilities | $1,508,072 | $1,549,562 | $3,711,699 | $2,901,779 | $3,248,583 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $19,471,528 | $13,561,115 | $13,091,899 | $12,251,288 | $10,563,128 |
| With donor restrictions | $2,782,343 | $6,690,145 | $3,758,878 | $967,231 | $1,494,434 |
| Net assets | $22,253,871 | $20,251,260 | $16,850,777 | $13,218,519 | $12,057,562 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $10,945,201 | $12,897,186 | $12,697,584 | $9,174,567 | $7,641,046 |
| Program service revenue | $91,311 | $71,702 | $81,446 | $70,890 | $35,234 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $157,138 | $565,361 | $288,265 | $204,940 | $190,638 |
| Other revenue | $124,648 | $258,794 | $262,889 | $198,594 | $2,963,007 |
| Total other revenue | $373,097 | $895,857 | $632,600 | $474,424 | $3,188,879 |
| Total revenue | $11,318,298 | $13,793,043 | $13,330,184 | $9,648,991 | $10,829,925 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $6,757,679 | $7,174,906 | $6,967,630 | $5,892,296 | $5,254,156 |
| Management and general | $869,679 | $1,058,575 | $927,491 | $1,082,266 | $1,085,511 |
| Fundraising | $1,694,768 | $2,159,079 | $1,802,805 | $1,513,472 | $1,429,488 |
| Total expenses | $9,322,126 | $10,392,560 | $9,697,926 | $8,488,034 | $7,769,155 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,996,172 | $3,400,483 | $3,632,258 | $1,160,957 | $3,060,770 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,996,172 | $3,400,483 | $3,632,258 | $1,160,957 | $3,060,770 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dean Gartland | CEO | $112,232 |
| Diana Irey Vaughan | CEO | $111,527 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2025
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 7/24/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
At City Mission we have a proud and rich history of service to our community. From our humble beginnings in 1941 as a small ministry to larger Christian-based operation serving over 100,000 meals per year and providing housing to 160 people - City Mission remains a selfless servant of the community.
1941: Reverend Edward Burt McCausland, the founder of City Mission, holds the first chapel service in a small storeroom at 404 West Main Street.
1942: The Mission moves to 322 W. Chestnut St. A men's dormitory opens with a 15-bed shelter and provides free meals to homeless and poor men. The staff holds Child Evangelism classes, Sunday school, nightly chapel, prayer meetings, street meetings, a weekly service at the County Jail and does visitation to hospitals, homes, and the jail.
1943: McCausland opens Hayes Avenue Mission, a branch of City Mission. Around 60 children from the area participate in Sunday school, Child Evangelism classes, picnics, and holiday events. City Mission Founder, Burt McCausland, with his wife, Avis. Sharing the Gospel at a City Mission chapel service in 1941.
1943: On September 13, 1943, Burt McClausland and Avis Pattison marry and continue the work of City Mission as co-superintendents.
1963: First Christian Church, 84 West Wheeling Street, becomes home to City Mission. The ministry expands services to the homeless and more than triples its shelter capacity. The men's shelter, chapel, dining room, and other services remain at this site today.
1977: Burt McCausland retires after 36 years of faithful service as superintendent of City Mission.
1980: Rescue missions across the United States work to address the problem of sheltering the country's fastest-growing population of homeless- the family.
1986: Avis Arbor Women's Shelter, named after Avis McCausland, opens as a safe haven for hurting homeless women and their children. Avis Arbor provides shelter, hot meals, counseling, spiritual guidance, and security to 13 women and children.
1993: Francis L. King, then-mayor of Washington, proclaims Washington City Mission Day to celebrate the millionth meal served. At this time, the Mission serves about 6,000 meals each month, and operates seven Helping Hand thrift stores. With a 70-bed capacity, the Mission is the largest shelter facility in the tri-county area.
2000: With the assistance and generosity of a local couple, City Mission's board of directors votes to acquire three buildings adjacent to the current location to be used for future shelter and transitional housing. City Mission Founder, Burt McCausland.
2003: An expanded Avis Arbor opens, increasing the Mission's capacity by 47%. The Mission remains the largest private shelter in the tri-county area with the capacity to serve 69 men and 32 women and children. The Mission also serves over 125,000 meals annually.
2008: The HEIRS program is created. HEIRS is a comprehensive program focusing on Housing, Employment, Income Development, Recovery, and Spiritual Development. In 2008, City Mission begins using this model to create metrics for measuring the effectiveness of programs and the success of residents. Since then, this model has been adopted by several rescue mission nationwide.
2011: On February 7, City Mission celebrates the 70th Anniversary of serving the poor, homeless, and working poor in Washington County PA.
2015: Much of City Mission is destroyed in a fire, including three men's dormitories, the medical center, the kitchen, the dining hall, and the chapel. City Mission residents sleep on borrowed cots in the Washington High School cafeteria before moving into temporary trailers until the burned-down buildings could be restored. The local community rallies to help, and the Mission creates a $14 million strategic rebuilding plan called "Renew 2020"
2010: Current CEO/President, Dean Gartland takes office
2009: The Mission receives a grant from the Washington County Hospital Authority to establish a Cognitive Enhancement Therapy Program at the Mission.
2016: The new Men's Shelter is completed, and the residents move in, June 2016. The new kitchen and dining facility begins serving residents and the community in June 2016. City Mission purchases a 40,000 square foot warehouse to serve as Vocational Training Center for residents and a Donation Center for the City Mission Thrift Stores. City Mission residents enjoying the new dormitory. In September, City Mission holds a groundbreaking ceremony for the new homeless shelter for veterans, which will house 22 veterans in need.
2018: City Mission expands their capacity from 96 to 160 beds. City Mission opens their new Medical Center facility and expands the medical services available to City Mission residents. City Mission's Crabtree Kovacicek Veterans House opened on July 3,2018. City Mission holds a flag-raising and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Crabtree-Kovacicek Veterans House, which opens in July and houses 22 homeless veterans for up to 18 months. In September, City Mission holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Grand Opening of their newly-expanded Women with Children Center, which now provides 11 cozy and uniquely-designed apartments for women with children. Full-time child care is provided at the on-site Child Care Center. The total capacity for the shelter is 32 beds. City Mission launches a new Drug-free Pain Management Clinic to help residents manage chronic and acute pain without the use of medication.
2022: Sally's House is our newest shelter, which opened in 2022. It has 15 beds and is the new home of our Single Women's Next Step Program.
Program accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2021, City Mission Provided:
79,204 meals
28,364 nights of shelter
10,85 people served
15,601 medical services
Needs
City Mission's work is only possible by the community and businesses of Southwestern Pennsylvania's generous donation of time and treasure. If you, your business, or church would like to be part of bringing hope to those hurting in our region, or partner with us to deliver the same - please take action today.