The City Mission 
The information on this page was last updated 11/17/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The City Mission empowers men, women, and children in crisis to overcome their unique, complex paths to homelessness. Because no one person's needs are the same, we create individualized, comprehensive programs to assist clients in building their stabilized and independent future. Our mission to reach hearts and change lives in Cleveland has not waivered since 1910, and we will continue to provide basic needs, critical recovery resources, and practical paths to a sustainable future to all seeking help and hope here.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The City Mission
5310 Carnegie Ave
Cleveland, OH 44103
Website: thecitymission.org
Phone: 216-431-3510
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 340760586
CEO/President: Linda Uveges
Chairman: Theodore A. Wagner
Board size: 16
Founder: Mel Trotter
Ruling year: 1950
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2019
Purpose
The City Mission, known for faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a catalyst for positive change in Cleveland resulting in the radical transformation of individuals and communities for generations to come.
Mission statement
To provide help and hope to all people through the transforming power of God's love.
Statement of faith
The City Mission, although focused on meeting the practical needs of people, has a long history of proclaiming the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Contained within an early statement of purpose for The City Mission is this foundational objective: "The City Mission is formed for the purpose of conducting and sustaining Christian work of an evangelistic and missionary nature in the City of Cleveland, Ohio, and its vicinity; to aid in the work and in general the conducting of meetings for teaching and studying the Bible as the true Word of God and for the proclaiming of the Gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls." This remains the center of what we do. Although we have developed successful programs, have networked with other community agencies, and have qualified staff and volunteers contributing their expertise, it is still our unwavering focus on a relationship with Christ and the principles of God's Word that results in changed lives. We hold to the following statement of faith:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, ultimately authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21)
We believe there is one God, eternally existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is Deity; that He was born of a virgin, that we are redeemed by His atoning death through His shed blood, that He bodily resurrected and ascended into Heaven, and that He will come again in power and great glory. (Matthew 1:18-25; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15; I Peter 2:24-25; I Thessalonians 4:16-18)
We believe that individuals are saved through a direct, personal encounter with the risen Lord, at which time they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This event we hold to be an experience, rather than a doctrinal supposition. (John 3:3; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ indwells each believer, enabling one to live a godly life of obedience as one reaches for maturity (John 16: 7-11; Galatians 5:13-18)
We believe the Holy Spirit unites all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that together they form one body, the Church. (Ephesians 2:22; I Corinthians 12:12-26; Colossians 1:18)
We believe in Biblical definitions of marriage, gender, sexuality, and uphold a Biblical stance on all matters related thereto. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2; Hebrews 13:4; Romans 1:26-27; Genesis 2:24; 5:2; Mark 10:6-7
Donor confidence score
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 | | 228 of 1096 | 30 of 145 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 370 of 1098 | 53 of 145 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 164 of 1098 | 20 of 145 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 561 of 1096 | 71 of 145 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 9% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 9% | 8% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 92% | 99% | 98% | 78% | 64% | 57% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 11% | 9% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 7% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 8% | 1% | 2% | 22% | 36% | 43% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 79% | 86% | 87% | 88% | 88% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 87% | 91% | 80% | 71% | 66% | 53% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 69% | 79% | 70% | 63% | 58% | 46% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 13% | 9% | 20% | 29% | 34% | 47% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 8% | 5% | 15% | 26% | 33% | 56% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.52 | 0.49 | 0.58 | 0.58 | 0.60 | 0.54 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.67 | 2.01 | 3.86 | 5.78 | 9.06 | 6.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.64 | 0.99 | 2.22 | 3.36 | 5.48 | 3.26 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 14.49 | 13.05 | 8.01 | 2.00 | 1.65 | 1.34 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.50 | 0.61 | 0.75 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.47 | 11.19 | 4.72 | 1.79 | 0.86 | 0.93 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 8% | 3% | 9% | 7% | 12% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 163% | 187% | 168% | 157% | 154% | 161% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $7,672,530 | $1,280,054 | $755,392 | $371,800 | $692,785 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,116,480 | $658,889 | $332,592 | $393,953 | $1,061,373 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $1,290,278 | $605,075 | $420,288 | $200,842 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $264,548 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,789,010 | $3,229,221 | $1,957,607 | $1,186,041 | $1,955,000 |
| Long-term investments | $240,975 | $207,469 | $212,745 | $204,331 | $151,020 |
| Fixed assets | $8,369,708 | $8,784,256 | $8,997,057 | $9,241,740 | $9,615,346 |
| Other long-term assets | $277,084 | $247,380 | $149,308 | $110,000 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $8,887,767 | $9,239,105 | $9,359,110 | $9,556,071 | $9,766,366 |
| Total assets | $17,676,777 | $12,468,326 | $11,316,717 | $10,742,112 | $11,721,366 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $479,016 | $336,849 | $912,799 | $644,899 | $1,404,713 |
| Other current liabilities | $194,245 | $66,465 | $65,462 | $73,039 | $56,483 |
| Total current liabilities | $673,261 | $403,314 | $978,261 | $717,938 | $1,461,196 |
| Debt | $695,574 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $695,574 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $1,368,835 | $403,314 | $978,261 | $717,938 | $1,461,196 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $12,029,719 | $11,588,672 | $10,299,156 | $9,984,987 | $10,220,870 |
| With donor restrictions | $4,278,205 | $476,340 | $39,300 | $39,300 | $39,300 |
| Net assets | $16,307,942 | $12,065,012 | $10,338,456 | $10,024,174 | $10,260,170 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $9,409,190 | $8,780,452 | $7,257,766 | $6,237,240 | $6,883,097 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,417 | ($27,171) | $207,234 | $134,096 | $43,747 |
| Other revenue | $138,898 | $198,858 | $1,815,217 | $3,424,274 | $5,190,469 |
| Total other revenue | $140,315 | $171,687 | $2,022,451 | $3,558,370 | $5,234,216 |
| Total revenue | $9,549,505 | $8,952,139 | $9,280,217 | $9,795,610 | $12,117,313 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $7,520,480 | $6,273,987 | $5,806,338 | $5,716,394 | $5,600,229 |
| Management and general | $427,456 | $420,406 | $305,492 | $241,642 | $322,530 |
| Fundraising | $755,801 | $484,852 | $468,072 | $539,625 | $445,069 |
| Total expenses | $8,703,737 | $7,179,245 | $6,579,902 | $6,497,661 | $6,367,828 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $845,768 | $1,772,894 | $2,700,315 | $3,297,949 | $5,749,485 |
| Other changes in net assets | $3,397,144 | ($46,338) | ($2,386,146) | ($3,533,832) | ($5,891,488) |
| Total change in net assets | $4,242,912 | $1,726,556 | $314,169 | ($235,883) | ($142,003) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
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 11/17/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The City Mission began in October of 1910, when Cleveland's city, business, and church leaders encouraged Mel Trotter to establish a mission in the city. Trotter, a former alcoholic, had helped to found 66 other rescue missions during his lifetime. Two public meetings were held and a collection was taken. The next day, in an abandoned saloon on Superior Avenue, The City Mission opened.
Throughout the rest of the 20th Century, The City Mission continued to expand. A larger building was needed and the Mission moved to 801 East St. Clair. Services provided at the time included a wide variety of Bible classes and Sunday School for all ages, assistance for the homeless, food baskets for the hungry, a prison ministry, and various clubs and activities for local residents. This diversified ministry was a precursor to the varied and holistic approach we take to transforming lives today.
The opening of Angeline Christian Home in 1981 was another example of our dedication to reading the needs of the city. This women's shelter was "a first for the city's homeless women," according to The Plain Dealer. The need for women and children's shelters continued to grow, and now Laura's Home on Cleveland's West Side serves families in crisis with capacity for nearly 170 individuals. In 1992 we expanded the square footage of our ministry at 5310 Carnegie Avenue. This campus is home to our administrative offices and men's shelters, Crossroads. With better facilities for both men in crisis and Mission employees, our vision has been allowed to keep up with changing times and new ideas.
Today, The City Mission is a wraparound services ministry that exists to serve men, women, and children at their point of crisis by empowering them toward stability, through adequate housing and employment. Our programs provide the essentials such as food and housing, uniquely tailored care through life and job skills training, as well as Christian teaching, and the guidance, patience, and resources families and individuals need to discover their best path to personal success. Simply put, we're empowering people to self-sustainability with practical help, restored hearts, and sustainable homes.
Through wars, depression, economic recession, and decades of change for the city of Cleveland, dedicated men and women worked hard and adapted to meet the changing needs of those experiencing crisis. Because no one person's needs are the same, we create individualized, comprehensive programs to assist clients in building their stabilized and independent future. Our mission to reach hearts and change lives in Cleveland has not waivered since 1910, and we will continue to provide basic needs, critical recovery resources, and practical paths to a sustainable future to all seeking help and hope here.