Nonprofit · EIN 31-1173550
BETTER WAY MINISTRIES
Also known as COLUMBUS DREAM
Tax-exempt · COLUMBUS, OH 43201
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,665,090 | $1,634,433 | $30,657 | $818,496 | $699,271 | $119,225 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,632,294 | $1,654,801 | -$22,507 | $852,556 | $763,988 | $88,568 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,264,720 | $1,611,014 | -$346,294 | $943,614 | $832,539 | $111,075 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,644,057
- of which government grants
- $50,000
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $16,125
- Net rental income
- $3,850
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $1,058
- Other revenue
- $4,908
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $598,863
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $258,341
- Other salaries and wages
- $305,590
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $728,090
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $26,006
- Occupancy
- $13,081
- Travel
- $23,218
- Depreciation
- $49,166
- Program services (functional)
- $1,311,400
- Management and general (functional)
- $280,604
- Fundraising (functional)
- $42,429
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $852,556
- Total assets, end of year
- $818,496
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $699,271
- Net assets, end of year
- $119,225
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $207,261
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $65,647
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $53,578
- Gross receipts
- $1,665,090
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 2,315
- Year formed
- 1987
- State of legal domicile
- OH
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRIS GORDON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $34,617 | $0 | $121,622 |
| TODD MARRAH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $11,590 | $63,553 |
| STEVE CAMPBELL | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $50,000 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 3 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cris Gordon | Executive Director Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $37,168 | $0 | $118,798 |
| Todd Marrah | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $11,590 | $63,518 |
| Steve Campbell | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 3 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cris Gordon | Executive Director Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $37,228 | $0 | $113,162 |
| Todd Marrah | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $8,317 | $64,460 |
| Steve Campbell | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 38 W GREENWOOD AVE, COLUMBUS, OH 43201-3225
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- CRIS GORDON, 38 W GREENWOOD AVE, COLUMBUS, OH 43201
- Signed the 990
- CRIS GORDON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (614) 547-3138
- Website
- WWW.COLUMBUSDREAMCENTER.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CRI CAPIN CROUSE ADVISORS LLC
Mission
BETTER WAY MINISTRIES, D/B/A COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER, IS A VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING HOPE TO LOW-INCOME, HOMELESS, AND UNDER-SERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE DREAM CENTER FORMS PARTNERSHIPS WITH AREA CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO FUND AND PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ITS VARIOUS OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
Program accomplishments
- COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER SERVED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: ADOPT-A-BLOCK - A FREE GROCERY AND RESOURCE DELIVERY SERVICE TO 10 NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS CENTRAL OHIO. SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES - PARTIES DURING THE SUMMER IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH THE KIDS AND FAMILIES OF THE AREA AND PROVIDE RESOURCES DURING THE NON-SCHOOL SEASON. SUPER SATURDAYS WHERE THE DREAM CENTER ENGAGED IN YOUTH MENTORSHIP ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY AGED KIDS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)HOSTING MEAL NIGHTS, BREAKFAST SERVES, LAUNDRY/SHOWER SERVICES, AND HAIRCUTS TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY WEEKLY. BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD - PROGRAMMING SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARD MENTORING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING. HOLIDAY-SPECIFIC OUTREACH FOR THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, AND EASTER.Expenses $1,174,625 · grants $548,863
- THE COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS IN 2020 WITH A LEARNING EXTENSION PROGRAM WHERE THEY OFFERED A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO DO REMOTE SCHOOLWORK WITH SUPPORT AND MEALS. IN 2021, AS SCHOOLS RETURNED TO IN PERSON, THE DREAM CENTER DESIRED TO MAINTAIN CONNECTION WITH THE STUDENTS AND LAUNCHED THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TO CONTINUE WITH SUPPORT ON HOMEWORK, RECEIVE SNACKS, AND BE CONNECTED WITH THE VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS IN THE AREA.Expenses $109,635 · grants $50,000
- HILLIARD DREAM CENTER - MEDICAL CLINIC - IN OCTOBER OF 2023, THE COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER LAUNCHED A FREE MEDICAL CLINIC TO ASSIST THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH MEDICAL EVALUATIONS AND SERVICES. THE DELAWARE DREAMS CENTER HOSTED A MONTHLY LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC OFFERING FREE LEGAL COUNSEL TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER.Expenses $27,140
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Not required (religious organization). Its accounting year ends in August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 31-1173550
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2015
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Not required (religious organization)
- Category (NTEE)
- Religion-related (X20)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $818,496
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,665,090
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $1,665,090 | $1,634,433 | $818,496 | XML |
| 990 | August 2024 | $1,632,294 | $1,654,801 | $852,556 | XML |
| 990 | August 2023 | $1,264,720 | $1,611,014 | $943,614 | XML |
| 990 | August 2022 | $1,523,951 | $1,435,842 | $1,186,561 | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 31-1173550).
Questions about BETTER WAY MINISTRIES
- What is the EIN of BETTER WAY MINISTRIES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BETTER WAY MINISTRIES is 31-1173550.
- Is BETTER WAY MINISTRIES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2015.
- Are donations to BETTER WAY MINISTRIES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BETTER WAY MINISTRIES file?
- Form Not required (religious organization).
- When is the next return of BETTER WAY MINISTRIES due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BETTER WAY MINISTRIES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BETTER WAY MINISTRIES?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names CRIS GORDON.
- Who are the officers and directors of BETTER WAY MINISTRIES?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 3 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $34,617 (CRIS GORDON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does BETTER WAY MINISTRIES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,665,090, expenses of $1,634,433 and total assets of $818,496 at year end.
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