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The Fund for Theological Education Inc

EIN 21-0725643 · Decatur, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FUND FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION (FTE) CULTIVATES DIVERSE, YOUNG ADULTS TO BE FAITHFUL, WISE AND COURAGEOUS LEADERS FOR THE CHURCH AND ACADEMY. THROUGH OUR INITIATIVES, WE ENABLE GIFTED YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TO EXPLORE AND RESPOND TO GOD'S CALLING IN THEIR LIVES.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
37.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
17
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$278,100, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 37.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. STRATEGIC PARTNERS CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN LEADERS EQUIPS AND STRENGHTENS DIVERSE NETWORKS OF LEADERS OF CONGREGATIONS AND CHURCH RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND INSPIRE YOUNG ADULTS TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE A CALL TO MINISTRY AND TEACHING BY OFFERING GRANTS, CONFERENCES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT.
  2. $1.6 million spent. CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN LEADERS PROVIDES SUPPORT TO SEVERAL GROUPS OF CANDIDATES EXPLORING AND PREPARING FOR VOCATIONS IN CHRISTIAN MINISTY. FELLOWS PARTICIPATED IN DISCERNMENT EVENTS AND NETWORKS OF SUPPORT AND WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $1.4 million spent. THE HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH THEOLOGY INSTITUTES OFFER SPACES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPLORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR FAITH, PURPOSE, AND CALL TO MINISTRY IN THE WORLD. THE INSTITUTES WITHIN THE INITIATIVE WORK WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, CONGREGATIONS, DENOMINATIONAL OFFICES, SERVICES AGENCIES, AND YOUTH MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY, IGNITE, AND CULTIVATE THE GIFTS OF FUTURE CHRISTIAN LEADERS WHO WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES.
  4. $113,628 spent. DO GOOD X EMPOWERS CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS TO DO GOOD. DO GOOD X CONVENES EARLY-STAGE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, FELLOWS, PEERS, MENTORS, AND INVESTORS THAT CONNECT, SUPPORT, AND LIFT UP UNDERREPRESENTED AND UNDER-RESOURCED SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS. DO GOOD X PROVIDES A 10-WEEK ACCELERATOR AND COMMUNITY FOR EARLY STAGE ENTREPRENEURS PASSIONATE ABOUT DEVELOPING VENTURES THAT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT, AND ALSO HOSTS A PODCAST FOR ASPIRING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1956.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.