The Christophers Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GROUNDED IN JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, THE CHRISTOPHERS' MISSION IS TO USE ALL FORMS OF MEDIA (RADIO, VIDEO, WEB, PRINT)ALONG WITH LEADERSHIP COURSES, YOUTH CONTESTS, AND OUR CHRISTOPHER AWARDS PROGRAMTO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL FAITHS TO PUT THEIR FAITH INTO ACTION, AND TO REMIND THEM OF THE GOSPEL-BASED COUNSEL, "DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD." MOTIVATED BY A LOVE OF GOD AND HUMANITY, ALL PEOPLE CAN BE CHRISTOPHERS - OR CHRIST-BEARERS - IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DAILY LIVES BY SEEING PROBLEMS AND WORKING TO SOLVE THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND AS BEST THEY CAN. CHRISTOPHERS SEE THESE INSTANCES AS OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SOLUTION-ORIENTED ROLE MODELS, SERVING AS SOURCES OF DIVINE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS OF SOCIETAL ILLS AND PERSONAL CHALLENGES. IN FACT, THE CHRISTOPHER APPROACH IS BEST SUMMED UP IN OUR MOTTO, "IT'S BETTER TO LIGHT ONE CANDLE THAN TO CURSE THE DARKNESS." SINCE 1945, WE HAVE USED OUR LITERATURE, BROADCASTS, AWARDS, PRISON MINISTRY, AND YOUTH CONTESTS.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 27.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 2
- Highest pay
- $188,297, president and secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 252 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $525,761 spent. INSPIRATIONAL LITERATURE - THE CHRISTOPHERS WRITE AND PUBLISH A WIDE VARIETY OF INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL LITERATURE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT REFLECTS THE MOTTO CHOSEN BY OUR FOUNDER, MARYKNOLL FATHER JAMES KELLER: "IT'S BETTER TO LIGHT ONE CANDLE THAN TO CURSE THE DARKNESS." THIS LITERATURE CALLS ON ADULTS AND TEENS TO PUT THEIR FAITH INTO ACTION. IT OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRACTICAL ADVICE ON CREATING A BETTER SOCIETY BY HELPING PEOPLE TO LIVE POSITIVE, HEALTHY, AND PEACEFUL LIVES, EVEN IN THE FACE OF THE TREMENDOUS OBSTACLES THEY MAY FACE. OUR CHRISTOPHER NEWS NOTES ARE PUBLISHED 10 TIMES A YEAR AND ARE AVAILABLE FREE TO PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS. THEY SHARE A UNIVERSAL MESSAGE OF GOD'S HOPE AND LOVE, WHILE ALSO OFFERING POSITIVE GUIDANCE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES TROUBLED WITH THE PRESSING SOCIAL ILLS OF OUR TIME, SUCH AS ADDICTION, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GRIEF, SUICIDE, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL ILLNESS, AGING, DIVORCE, ANGER, SELF-ESTEEM PROBLEMS, LACK OF COMMUNICATION, AND INTOLERANCE. TWO OF OUR CHRISTOPHER NEWS NOTES "FINDING HOPE IN CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND "FOLLOW GOD'S PATH TOWARDS JOY" EARNED FIRST AND SECOND PRIZE, RESPECTIVELY, IN THE CATHOLIC MEDIA ASSOCIATION'S 2024 AWARDS IN THE CATEGORY "BEST FEATURE ARTICLE: PRINT NEWSLETTER." THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW IN WHICH OUR NEWS NOTES EARNED THESE TOP PRIZES. JUDGES DESCRIBED THE NEWS NOTES AS AN "OUTSTANDING UNION OF THEOLOGY WITH THE ISSUES FACED IN DAILY LIFE AND AS EXPLORING "HOW TO REACH FOR JOY IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES BY SEARCHING FOR EVEN A GLIMMER OF HOPE." WE PUBLISHED VOLUME 59 OF OUR ANNUAL "THREE MINUTES A DAY" BOOK OF DAILY STORIES AND PRAYERFUL REFLECTIONS; AN ANNUAL CALENDAR WITH BIBLICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FOR EACH DAY OF THE YEAR; AND PRAYER CARDS THAT PROVIDE HOPE AND GUIDANCE TO ALL. OUR BOOKS AND NEWS NOTES ARE DONATED TO PRISON AND JAIL MINISTRIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HAVE PROVED TO BE POPULAR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION AND GUIDANCE WITH INMATES. AS ONE PRISONER IN CHICAGO STATED, "IF IT IS FROM THE CHRISTOPHERS, IT IS GOOD." DONATIONS GIVEN FOR CHRISTOPHER MATERIALS HELP FUND FURTHER CHRISTOPHER WORK. HOWEVER, MANY OF OUR MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED FREE TO THOSE IN NEED. OUR SYNDICATED WEEKLY "LIGHT ONE CANDLE" COLUMNS ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE-OF-CHARGE TO NEWSPAPERS AND WEBSITES WHO HAVE REQUESTED TO USE THEM. OUR WEBSITE OFFERS FREE MATERIAL SUCH AS PRAYERS, NEWS NOTES, AND "LIGHT ONE CANDLE" COLUMNS. IN ADDITION, THE CHRISTOPHERS' BLOG REACHES A WIDE-RANGING AUDIENCE WITH ORIGINAL INTERVIEWS AND STORIES OF INSPIRATION. ALL OUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES ARE PROMOTED THROUGH FACEBOOK AND X/TWITTER LINKS. SPANISH OUTREACH THE CHRISTOPHERS RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING OUR MESSAGE WITH THE SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY, SO WE OFFER SPANISH TRANSLATIONS FOR SOME OF OUR NEWS NOTES AND PRAYER CARDS.
- $279,203 spent. CHRISTOPHER AWARDS - THE CHRISTOPHER AWARDS WERE CREATED IN 1949 BY OUR FOUNDER, FATHER JAMES KELLER, M.M., BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE ARTS, MEDIA, AND POPULAR CULTURE HAD THE POWER TO INFLUENCE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. HE REALIZED THAT WHEN WE'RE EXPOSED TO STORIES THAT SHINE A LIGHT ON OUR STRUGGLES AS WELL AS VIRTUES, SUCH AS FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE, AND LOVE, WE CAN BECOME MOTIVATED TO BECOME BETTER, MORE SELFLESS PEOPLE. THEREFORE, THE CHRISTOPHER AWARDS HONOR BOOKS, FILMS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS THAT AFFIRM THE HIGHEST VALUES OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. THE GOAL OF OUR AWARDS IS TO ENCOURAGE CREATIVE ARTISTS TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN ARENAS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INFLUENCE A MASS AUDIENCE IN A POSITIVE WAY AND TO ENCOURAGE READERS AND VIEWERS TO TAP INTO THE BETTER SIDE OF THEIR HUMAN NATURE BY SEEING POSITIVE EXAMPLES PRESENTED TO THEM IN ENGAGING AND ENTERTAINING WAYS. THE ANNUAL CHRISTOPHER AWARDS CEREMONY IS A HIGH-PROFILE MEDIA EVENT REGULARLY HOSTED BY A FAMOUS TV PERSONALITY. RECENT WINNERS INCLUDE ACTOR STEVE GUTTENBERG, WHO WROTE A MEMOIR ABOUT BEING A CAREGIVER FOR HIS DYING FATHER; ACTOR JONATHAN ROUMIE, WHO EXECUTIVE PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT BOYS' TOWN FOUNDER FATHER EDWARD FLANAGAN; GREG KWEDAR, WHO DIRECTED THE FILM "SING SING" ABOUT AN ARTS PROGRAM THAT BRINGS HOPE AND REHABILITATION INTO PRISONERS' LIVES; HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR DR. EDITH EVA EGER, WHOSE MEMOIR RECALLS HER TIME IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP AND HOW SHE OVERCAME SURVIVOR'S GUILT TO LIVE A FULFILLING LIFE HELPING OTHERS; WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/ACTRESS BONNIE HUNT, "GENERAL HOSPITAL" STAR AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE MAURICE BENARD, OLYMPIAN AND ADVOCATE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS ALY RAISMAN, PLAYWRIGHT AND SONGWRITER LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, AND CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR AND DISABILITY ADVOCATE ANITRA ROWE SCHULTE. DAVID HEMINGSON, THE WRITER AND PRODUCER OF THE CHRISTOPHER AWARD-WINNING FILM "THE HOLDOVERS" WROTE TO SAY, "THE FACT THAT THE CHRISTOPHERS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED 'THE HOLDOVERS' FOR ITS THEMES OF SACRIFICE, HUMOR AND HEALING MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, SINCE IT WAS BASED ON THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT SHAPED ME AS A YOUNG MAN. IN FACT, THE SCREENPLAY WAS WRITTEN AS A LOVE LETTER TO MY MOTHER, LORETTA GORA HEMINGSON, MY FATHER, RICHARD HEMINGSON, AND MY UNCLE, EARL CAHAIL. I THINK THAT MY MOM - UPON WHOM I BASED THE CHARACTER OF MARY - WOULD BE PARTICULARLY TOUCHED, SINCE SHE WAS A FAITHFUL CATHOLIC FOR HER ENTIRE LIFE. I WILL CHERISH MY CHRISTOPHER AWARD AND ENDEAVOR TO LIVE UP TO THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT IS GIVEN. AND AUTHOR AND HUMANITARIAN MARK K. SHRIVER WROTE, "GROWING UP, THE CHRISTOPHERS AND THE CHRISTOPHER AWARD WERE WELL-KNOWN IN OUR HOUSE. THEY STOOD FOR SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL. I WAS BEYOND THRILLED WHEN BOTH 'A GOOD MAN: REDISCOVERING MY FATHER, SARGENT SHRIVER AND '10 HIDDEN HEROES' WON CHRISTOPHER AWARDS! BOTH BOOKS WERE AN ATTEMPT TO ELEVATE AND CELEBRATE PEOPLE WHO LIVE LIVES DEDICATED TO FEEDING THE HUNGRY, CLOTHING THE NAKED, SHELTERING THE HOMELESS AND VISITING THOSE IN PRISONCARING FOR OTHERS. AND THAT'S WHAT THE CHRISTOPHERS HAVE LONG DONE; THEY HAVE BEEN SHINING A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS, INSPIRING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALL ACROSS AMERICA, AND THE WORLD. I AM SO PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM!"
- $202,928 spent. YOUTH MINISTRY - EVERY YEAR, WE INVITE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES - GRADES 9 THROUGH 12--TO CREATE A POSTER THAT VISUALLY INTERPRETS THE TIMELESS THEME, "YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE." USING PHOTOGRAPHS, HAND-DRAWN PICTURES OR IMAGES CREATED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS, THESE PUPILS WORK TO ARTISTICALLY CONVEY WHAT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN ACTION MEANS TO THEM. AT THE CHRISTOPHERS, WE TYPICALLY RECEIVE OVER 1,000 ENTRIES EVERY YEAR, BOTH THROUGH OUR REGULAR MAIL AND VIA E-MAIL. SARAH E. HOLINSKI, OUR YOUTH COORDINATOR, ASSISTS WITH THE REVIEW PROCESS. THE STUDENTS ARE FIRST NOTIFIED OF THEIR WINNINGS VIA E-MAIL, AND LATER RECEIVE OFFICIAL LETTERS WITH THEIR PRIZES, DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOME ADDRESSES. OUR ANNUAL VIDEO CONTEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IS CONDUCTED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. IN THIS COMPETITION, WE LOOK FOR VIDEOS THAT VISUALLY PORTRAY THE BELIEF THAT ONE PERSON, ONE ORGANIZATION, EVEN ONE SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS TRULY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE JUDGING PROCESS OF THE VIDEO CONTEST IS IDENTICAL TO THAT OF OUR POSTER CONTEST. WE HAVE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PRIZE WINNERS AND, DEPENDING ON THE QUANTITY OF SUBMISSIONS THAT YEAR, ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO FIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS.FIRST PRIZE IN THE CHRISTOPHERS' 37TH ANNUAL VIDEO CONTEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WENT TO JAKE GIST, A BELMONT UNIVERSITY MEDIA PRODUCTION MAJOR. HE PROFILED FORMER 5TH GRADE TEACHER MRS. LINDA LYON IN HIS "SNAP (STUDENT POWER, WORLD INSPIRED) NEWS" REPORT. MRS. LYON HAS "GONE FROM A DEDICATED TEACHER [FOR 37 YEARS] TO A SCHOOL'S HONORED NAMESAKE," GIST NARRATES AS B-ROLL OF LYON'S TEACHING CAREER PLAYS ACROSS THE SCREEN. A VIDEO TESTIMONIAL BY FORMER PUPIL, JON BAILEY, DESCRIBES MRS. LYON AS "SOMEBODY WHOMEANS THE WORLD TO HIM AND "POURS THEIR HEART AND SOUL INTO NOT JUST EDUCATION, BUT ALSOYOUR[LIFE]." JAKE GIST GOES ON TO SAY THAT EVEN THOUGH MRS. LYON HAS SINCE RETIRED AS AN EDUCATOR, HER DESIRE TO ASSIST THE LOCAL YOUTH IN HER COMMUNITY REMAINS AS STRONG AS EVER, AS EVIDENCED BY HER WORK WITH "[LONE STAR] CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES)," WHICH WAS CREATED TO HELP "CHILDREN THAT HAVE SUFFERED ABUSE OR NEGLECT."FIRST PRIZE IN THE CHRISTOPHERS' 35TH ANNUAL POSTER CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WENT TO ALYSSA PONTZ, A SENIOR AT CAPSTONE ACADEMY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. HER POSTER CONSISTS OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF HERSELF AND HER FRIEND READING TO A GROUP OF CHILDREN, DEMONSTRATING JUST HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE ONE MEANINGFUL STORY CAN MAKE. IN AN EMAIL TO THE CHRISTOPHERS, ALYSSA EXPLAINED, "WE CREATED A CHILDREN'S BOOK [TITLED A GUIDE TO BUTTERFLIES (IN YOUR STOMACH): A BOOK FOR KIDS' WORRIES] THAT FOCUSES ON DIFFERENT WAYS KIDS CAN HANDLE THEIR ANXIETIES AND WORRIES. [AUTHOR SOPHIA ROSE] IS AN EXCELLENT WRITER, AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ILLUSTRATING IT, AND BRINGING THE CHARACTERS TO LIFE. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT IN FRONT OF A CLASS, AND IT WAS MAGICAL. READING [THE BOOK] IN FRONT OF KIDS WAS ESPECIALLY ENLIGHTENING. WE GOT TO WATCH THEM REACT AS WE READ AND HEAR THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK AFTER. IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, AND I REALLY FELT LIKE WHAT WE HAD CREATED MADE A DIFFERENCE."
- $410,161 spent. CHRISTOPHER MEDIA: RADIO/PODCAST - "CHRISTOPHER CLOSEUP" HIGHLIGHTS INDIVIDUALS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF FIELDS WHO ACT AS POSITIVE INFLUENCES ON PEOPLE AROUND THEM IN SMALL AND EXTRAORDINARY WAYS. SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY PROBLEMS, MAINTAINING HOPE IN THE FACE OF HARDSHIP, AND CARE FOR THE POOR. *RECENT "CHRISTOPHER CLOSEUP" GUESTS INCLUDE ACTOR, AUTHOR, AND EMMY AWARD-WINNER JONATHAN JACKSON, AUTHOR AND TELEVISION HOST KATHIE LEE GIFFORD; RETIRED ASTRONAUT JOSE HERNANDEZ; BROADCAST JOURNALIST LUKE RUSSERT; CNN CORRESPONDENT JOHN BLAKE; HALLMARK CHANNEL ACTRESS AND ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SPOKESPERSON NIKKI DELOACH; "INSIDE EDITION" CORRESPONDENT AND AUTHR MEGAN ALEXANDER; "GENERAL HOSPITAL" STAR JOHN J. YORK; CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVOR AND ASTRONAUT HAYLEY ARCENEAUX; ACTRESS AND SINGER KRISTIN CHENOWETH; BROADCASTER, ENTREPRENEUR, AND ADVOCATE FOR WORKING MOTHERS PAULA FARIS; ABC NEWS ANCHOR AND CHRISTOPHER AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR LINSEY DAVIS; COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND DOLLY PARTON; SINGER AND HUMANITARIAN HARRY CONNICK JR.; "GENERAL HOSPITAL" STAR AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE MAURICE BENARD; NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR KATE BOWLER; AUTHOR AND ANTI-POVERTY ADVOCATE MARK SHRIVER; ACTOR AND HUMANITARIAN GARY SINISE; AND ACTRESS/HUMANITARIAN BONNIE HUNT. EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE ARE ALSO FEATURED ON THE PROGRAM. RECENT EXAMPLES INCLUDE DELANEY COYNE, A JOURNALIST AND DISABILITY ADVOCATE; SISTER AVE CLARK, WHO COUNSELS PEOPLE DEALING WITH TRAUMAS; SISTER CAROLINE TWEEDY, RSM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ST. JOHN'S BREAD AND LIFE SOUP KITCHEN AND FOOD PANTRY; DEACON ED SHOENER, CO-FOUNDER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC MENTAL HEALTH MINISTERS; ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS, WHOSE NONPROFIT "MIND WHAT MATTERS" OFFERS HELP AND HOPE TO CAREGIVERS FOR ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA PATIENTS; CHRISTOPHER AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR ANITRA ROWE SCHULTE, WHO ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES; CHRISTOPHER AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER TED GREEN, WHOSE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT BASEBALL GREAT CARL ERSKINE HIGHLIGHTED HIS ADVOCACY FOR RACIAL EQUALITY AND EMBRACE OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; SISTER LARRAINE LAUTER, FOUNDER OF THE CHARITY "WATER WITH BLESSINGS," WHICH PROVIDES WATER FILTERS TO COMMUNITIES IN IMPOVERISHED COUNTRIES; AND FATHER GREG BOYLE, FOUNDER OF HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES, WHICH IS THE LARGEST GANG INTERVENTION, REHABILITATION, AND REENTRY PROGRAM IN THE WORLD. THE WEEKLY PROGRAM AIRS ON SIRIUS-XM AND NUMEROUS OTHER STATIONS. THE PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A FREE PODCAST THROUGH THE CHRISTOPHERS' BLOG AND WEBSITEAND ON OUTLETS SUCH AS APPLE PODCASTS, AMAZON MUSIC, SPOTIFY, AND STITCHER. THE MODERN INCARNATION OF "CHRISTOPHER CLOSEUP" CONTINUES A TRADITION STARTED IN 1952 BY OUR FOUNDER, FATHER JAMES KELLER, WHEN HE BEGAN THE TELEVISION VERSION OF THE SHOW FEATURING SUCH GUESTS AS BOB HOPE, JACK BENNY, BING CROSBY, MARIO LANZA, ART LINKLETTER, AND MORE."CHRISTOPHER MINUTES" ARE ONE-MINUTE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS SENT TO RADIO STATIONS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING SIRIUS-XM'S THE CATHOLIC CHANNEL. THEY PROVIDE LISTENERS WITH INSPIRATIONAL STORIES AND PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT STAYING POSITIVE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY. "CHRISTOPHER MINUTES" ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.TELEVISION SEVERAL CLASSIC CHRISTOPHER FILMS FROM THE 1950'S AIR PERIODICALLY ON EWTN. AND EACH YEAR DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON NUMEROUS TV STATIONS AIR CHRISTOPHER SPONSORED CLAY-ANIMATIONS FOR KIDS CONSISTING OF "THE FIRST CHRISTMAS," "THE CHIMES," "MICHAEL THE VISITOR, AND "MARTIN THE COBBLER."ALL OUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES ARE PROMOTED THROUGH FACEBOOK AND X/TWITTER.CHRISTOPHER LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS - THE CHRISTOPHER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS WORKSHOPS TO ADULTS. PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE LIFE'S PURPOSE AND CHALLENGES, BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP QUALITIES, GROW IN FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY, SHARPEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND BECOME MORE OPTIMISTIC. WE HOLD AN ANNUAL WEEKEND LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT MARY OF THE LAKE, HOME OF MUNDELEIN SEMINARY AND THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO. MUNDELEIN IS THE LARGEST MAJOR SEMINARY IN THE UNITED STATES AND DIOCESES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY SEND SEMINARIANS THERE FOR FORMATION. BY HOLDING OUR ANNUAL COURSE AT MUNDELEIN, THE CHRISTOPHERS PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING UP THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS IN THE CHURCH. IN OUR WEEKEND COURSE AT MUNDELEIN, SEMINARIANS AND LAYPEOPLE ENGAGE IN AN INVIGORATING EXPLORATION OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN A RELAXED AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. THIS POPULAR COURSE CONTINUES TO CHANGE LIVES AND EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND REMAIN TRUE TO THEIR FAITH. ONE RECENT GRADUATE WROTE, "THIS OPPORTUNITY IS AN INVALUABLE GIFT THAT CHANGES LIVES, MY OWN AND OTHERS. IT'S INSPIRATIONAL TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AS A LIGHT OF CHRIST AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU!!!"PASTORALWE RECENTLY RECEIVED A BEAUTIFUL NOTE FROM ONE OF OUR SUPPORTERS, ANN, WHO WROTE: "I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION YEARS AGO WHEN I STUMBLED UPON A PAMPHLET 'LIVE JOYFULLY.' IT RESONATED WITH ME IN A PROFOUND WAY AND MADE AN IMPACT ON THE WAY I LOOK AT THE WORLD AND THE SITUATIONS I'M PRESENTED WITH EACH DAY. I SHARED THE WISDOM OF THAT PAMPHLET WITH MY FAMILY: 'THE GREATEST HONOR YOU CAN GIVE TO ALMIGHTY GOD IS TO LIVE GLADLY, JOYFULLY BECAUSE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS LOVE.' ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO, I WENT THROUGH THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE AND ITS RESULTANT DEVASTATION THAT I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM. YOUR EMAILS HAVE BEEN A SOURCE OF HOPE AND CONSOLATION. TODAY'S EMAIL WAS ANOTHER SPECTACULAR ONE I WILL PRINT OUT AND POST AND SEND TO ALL MY FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. YOU TRULY HAVE LIT A CANDLE IN MY DARKNESS."OUR OUTREACH TO THOSE ON THE FRONT LINES OF PRISON MINISTRY REMAINS A VITAL PART OF THE EFFORT TO BRING HOPE AND HEALING TO PEOPLE ON THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY. WORKING MAINLY THROUGH PRISON CHAPLAINS, WE PROVIDE AN EVER-GROWING LIBRARY OF READING MATERIAL THANKS TO
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.