Nonprofit · EIN 35-1410753
PROJECT MERCY INC
Tax-exempt · FORT WAYNE, IN 46809
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,068,740 | $1,835,081 | $233,659 | $4,817,116 | $4,223 | $4,812,893 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,662,223 | $1,988,858 | $673,365 | $4,586,169 | $6,935 | $4,579,234 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,975,511 | $2,097,901 | -$122,390 | $3,927,396 | $21,557 | $3,905,839 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,052,500
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $579
- Other revenue
- $15,661
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,159,028
- Other salaries and wages
- $295,209
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $364,990
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $187
- Accounting fees
- $18,405
- Occupancy
- $23,102
- Travel
- $37,719
- Depreciation
- $7,329
- Program services (functional)
- $1,373,400
- Management and general (functional)
- $275,693
- Fundraising (functional)
- $185,988
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,586,169
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,817,116
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,223
- Net assets, end of year
- $4,812,893
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $39,199
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,562,839
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,250,054
- Gross receipts
- $2,068,740
- Employees
- 6
- Year formed
- 1977
- State of legal domicile
- IN
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCY ROLLER | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 40 | $65,707 |
| DEMEKE TEKLE-WOLD | EMERITUS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BETE DEMEKE | PRESIDENT/CE Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $0 |
| DR BRAD COOLMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DR COLLEEN KRAFT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ESTER SILVERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR MICHAEL VAN NOORD | CHAIRMAN Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DANIEL TYMANN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR WILLIAM ZUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR TIM TEUSNIK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCY ROLLER | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 40 | $62,578 |
| DEMEKE TEKLE-WOLD | EMERITUS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BETE DEMEKE | PRESIDENT/CE Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $0 |
| ED MEMMEN | CHAIRMAN/TRE Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BRUCE BACON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DR WILLIAM ZUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR MICHAEL VAN NOORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR TIM TEUSINK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCY ROLLER | SECRETARY Trustee or director | 40 | $59,598 |
| TSION MARU | FORMER COO Trustee or director | 40 | $48,406 |
| MARTA GABRE-TSADICK | FORMER CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $26,318 |
| DEMEKE TEKLE-WOLD | EMERITUS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BETE DEMEKE | PRESIDENT/CE Trustee or director, Officer | 50 | $0 |
| ED MEMMEN | CHAIRMAN/TRE Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| BRUCE BACON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DR WILLIAM ZUBER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR MICHAEL VAN NOORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DR TIM TEUSINK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 7011 ARDMORE AVE, FORT WAYNE, IN 46809-9500
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- BETE DEMEKE, 927 W ARGYLE 3E, CHICAGO, IL 60640
- Signed the 990
- BETE DEMEKE, PRESIDENT/CEO/TREASU
- Phone
- (260) 747-2559
- Website
- PROJECTMERCY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- THE SEIGEL GROUP LLC
Mission
THE VISION OF PROJECT MERCY IS TO "RENEW THE HEART OF A NATION BY FREEING PEOPLE FROM PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL POVERTY". THE MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM HOW PEOPLE LIVE AND THINK AND BUILD STRONG, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES IN ETHIOPIA AND BEYOND THROUGH NEW KNOWLEDGE, BETTER HEALTH, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOURCES AND STRENGTHENED CHARACTER FOR ALL PEOPLE AS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY WAS STARTED IN 1977 TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES. AT ITS PEAK, THE MINISTRY GREW TO REACH SEVEN COUNTRIES IN AFRICA WITH ITS FOCUS ON ASSISTING DISPLACED REFUGEES IN DJIBOUTI, GUINEA, IVORY COAST, KENYA, LIBERIA, MALAWI, AND SUDAN. IN 1993 THE ORGANIZATION SHIFTED ITS FOCUS TO CREATING A RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT MODEL THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF FAMINE AND POVERTY IN COMMUNITIES. PROJECT MERCY IS COMMITTED TO MAKING LONG-TERM, MULTI-GENERATIONAL IMPACT. AS SUCH, OUR DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS, DEVELOP
Program accomplishments
- HEALTHCARE PROJECT MERCY BUILT AND RUNS THE GLENN C. OLSEN MEMORIAL PRIMARY HOSPITAL. THIS 52-BED FACILITY IS EQUIPPED WITH DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, AS WELL AS WARDS FOR SURGICAL, PEDIATRIC, DELIVERY, AND MEDICAL SERVICES. COUPLED WITH A CLINIC IN THE SCHOOL (THE ONLY CLINIC OF ITS KIND IN RURAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN ETHIOPIA), PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES END-TO-END PREVENTATIVE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. A NEAR-BY "LIE-IN-WAIT HOUSE" SERVES EXPECTANT MOTHERS DIAGNOSED WITH COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES. MIDWIVES FROM THE HOSPITAL PROVIDE REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND QUICK ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES TO THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS. THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION (CHE) PROGRAM ENABLES PROJECT MERCY AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ALL THE INVESTMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN HEALTHCARE TO DATE AND BUILD ON IT TO STRENGTHEN THE PREVENTATIVE PRACTICES OF THE PEOPLE TO STOP COMMON AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES BEFORE THEY START.Expenses $123,914 · grants $123,914
- EDUCATION EDUCATION IS A CORE COMPONENT OF OUR MODEL INTEGRATED INTO ALL OUR HOLISTIC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE MEET BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WE SERVE (WITH NEARLY 2,400 STUDENTS IN GRADES K- 12) AND RUN A HEALTH SCIENCE COLLEGE TO TRAIN MIDWIFERY NURSES. ALSO, OUR SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION HAS REACHED FIVE OTHER SCHOOLS IN THREE REGIONS. VOCATION & SKILL PROJECT MERCY TRAINS THE MEN & WOMEN IN VIABLE TRADES THAT CAN HELP THEM EARN A FAIR INCOME AND INTRODUCES THE ARTISAN CULTURE THROUGH SKILLS TRAINING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VIABLE ASSOCIATION SO THEIR CRAFTS CAN BE MARKETED.Expenses $904,374 · grants $904,374
- FOOD SECURITY THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS HELP BY ENCOURAGING AND TEACHING FAMILIES TO CULTIVATE AND CONSUME VEGETABLES AND FRUIT TREE PRODUCTS. IN ADDITION, PROJECT MERCY HAS INSTITUTED DAIRY CATTLE BREEDING AND POULTRY FARMING PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE RURAL FAMILIES TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY AND A HIGHER QUANTITY OF MILK AND EGGS. THESE FOOD SECURITY MEASURES ARE PROVIDING SUSTENANCE AND A MEANS OF INCOME. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ROYAL JERSEY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RJAHS) EDUCATES BENEFICIARIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE JERSEY BREED, EXPANDS ACCESS TO BREEDERS AND BREEDING BULLS TO SERVE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN CHACHA AND FOURTEEN SURROUNDING KEBELES (TOWNSHIPS), AND SUPPORTS PROJECT MERCY TO STRENGTHEN ITS BREEDING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES.Expenses $106,507 · grants $106,507
- INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MERCY PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THE ABILITY TO REACH CRITICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES SAFELY AND QUICKLY, USE SAFE ROADS, BRIDGES, CLEAN WATER, AND OTHER FACILITIES.Expenses $238,605 · grants $24,233
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 35-1410753
- 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
- 1978
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- International, foreign affairs and national security (Q710)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,817,116
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,068,740
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,068,740 | $1,835,081 | $4,817,116 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,662,223 | $1,988,858 | $4,586,169 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,975,511 | $2,097,901 | $3,927,396 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,238,069 | $2,072,859 | $4,038,121 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | 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 35-1410753).
Questions about PROJECT MERCY INC
- What is the EIN of PROJECT MERCY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of PROJECT MERCY INC is 35-1410753.
- Is PROJECT MERCY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1978.
- Are donations to PROJECT MERCY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does PROJECT MERCY INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of PROJECT MERCY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did PROJECT MERCY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of PROJECT MERCY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names BETE DEMEKE.
- Who are the officers and directors of PROJECT MERCY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $65,707 (LUCY ROLLER, SECRETARY).
- How much revenue does PROJECT MERCY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,068,740, expenses of $1,835,081 and total assets of $4,817,116 at year end.
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