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A Christian Ministry in the National Parks

EIN 13-2703062 · Greenwood Vlg, CO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP) embodies and extends the ministry of Jesus Christ through worship, witness, and the development of Christian leaders.

Income
$955,180
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
54.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
12
Volunteers
618
Highest pay
$150,356, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $546,126 spent. ACMNP recruits, trains, and sends team members into US National Parks to lead worship services, build community through relational ministry, nurture park stewardship, and gain leadership skills while serving in an interdenominational ministry. The primary program is based around an entire summer or winter season which allows team members to work a full-time job within the community. Recruiting is focused on college and seminary campuses as well as online. Training is provided via two national training conferences in Denver and Chicago. Ongoing support for the seasonal teams is given through a Ministry Support Committee, which is a group of local residents who support and encourage team members. Additional support is provided through park visits from ACMNP national staff and other trained volunteers. This year, 145 team members served in 38 parks and were supported by 155 Ministry Support Committee volunteers.
  2. $227,301 spent. ACMNP is committed to leadership development. Through an expanded application process, participants are selected for advanced leadership training, including a professional leadership assessment experience and opportunities for the practical application of leadership efforts at the national training conferences and in the parks. Pastoral leadership experience and leadership development is encouraged by providing scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to qualified seminary students who serve as team members. This year, 9 individuals participated in the advanced leadership program. There were 14 total scholarships offered including 5 seminary scholarships, 9 for the advanced leadership program, and 4 who were selected for their exceptional service in season.
  3. $85,087 spent. ACMNP organizes and leads short-term service-oriented trips to national parks for the purposes of experiencing park ministry, worship in parks, volunteer services and leadership development. This year, 141 individuals participated in these experiential service trips in 9 national park locations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 November 4, 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.