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Word of Life Fellowship Inc

EIN 13-5648615 · Schroon Lake, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of Word of Life Fellowship is evangelization and discipleship through various means consistent with the Holy Scriptures to help build and strengthen the Church of Jesus Christ. Ministries include camps and conferences, youth programs in local churches, Bible Institutes and training centers, evangelistic events, sports evangelism, mission agency, and music and drama teams.

Income
$65.6 million
Spending
$61.4 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
783
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$196,264, president/director

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 27 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 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 (6)
  1. $4.1 million spent. Youth ministries: Through the Youth ministries Word of Life partners with approximately 500 churches in the United States. The Word of Life Youth ministry program serves local churches to establish foundational truths for godly living in the lives of young people. Age specific programs are offered to preschool through high school. Local church lay people are trained and equipped by Word of Life staff to effectively minister to their youth.
  2. $20.0 million spent. Word of Life operates an accredited Bible Institute with the main campus in New York and teaching site in Florida. Students study the Word of God under outstanding resident and adjunct professors. Students are instructed using the Holy Bible to learn and apply practical principles in ministering to others and developing a godly lifestyle.
  3. $9.6 million spent. Camps and Conferences: Reaching youth and adults through camps and conference ministries is a Word of Life trademark. Annually thousands of youth are ministered to through camps in the United States and thousands of adults are guests at conference centers in New York and Florida.
  4. $22.9 million spent. Missions activities: Includes grants to missions activities established in 81 countries. The purpose is the same and the program activities are the same as those carried out in the US. The program activities include camps and conferences, youth programs in churches, Bible institutes and training centers, evangelistic events, sports evangelism and travelling music and drama teams. Also includes short term missions activities for youth and adult work and medical teams
  5. $319,868 spent. Other ministry activities includes rallies and evangelist outreaches in local area as well as concerts and other ministry related activities
  6. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d - Missions activities: Includes grants to missions activities established in 88 countries. The purpose is the same and the program activities are the same as those carried out in the US. The program activities include camps and conferences, youth programs in churches, Bible institutes and training centers, evangelistic events, sports evangelism and travelling music and drama teams. Also includes short term missions activities for youth and adult work and medical teams.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 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 April 1945.

    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 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.