Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION IS INCORPORATED IN NEW JERSEY AND SEEKS TO EMULATE CHIVALRIC AND CHARITABLE TRADITIONS OF THE ORIGINAL TEMPLARS BY DONATING CASH AND TIME TO CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BY DONATING CASH TO US TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
- Income
- $728,273
- Spending
- $727,256
- Employees
- 0
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $727,256 spent. THE ORDER PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS RESIDING IN THE GREATER HOLY LAND SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AT CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS WHILE REMAINING IN THEIR HOMES. IN KEEPING WITH THE ORDERS ECUMENICAL TRADITION, SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED AT VARIOUS CHURCH SUPPORTED HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES RATHER THAN JUST A SINGLE SCHOOL. PRIORIES, COMMANDERIES, AND INDIVIDUALS MAY ELECT TO SPONSOR A STUDENT EITHER BY NAME OR ANONYMOUSLY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE USUALLY MULTI-YEAR SO THAT THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS OF THE STUDENT CAN BE MAINTAINED RATHER THAN HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF YEAR-TO-YEAR FUNDING. WHILE THE SPONSOR IS REQUIRED TO PAY ONE YEARS TUITION AT A TIME, THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL MUST AGREE AT THE ONSET TO SPONSOR THE STUDENT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOLARSHIP/EDUCATIONAL PERIOD.
- THE ORDER PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS RESIDING IN THE GREATER HOLY LAND SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AT CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS WHILE REMAINING IN THEIR HOMES. IN KEEPING WITH THE ORDERS ECUMENICAL TRADITION, SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED AT VARIOUS CHURCH SUPPORTED HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES RATHER THAN JUST A SINGLE SCHOOL. PRIORIES, COMMANDERIES, AND INDIVIDUALS MAY ELECT TO SPONSOR A STUDENT EITHER BY NAME OR ANONYMOUSLY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE USUALLY MULTI-YEAR SO THAT THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS OF THE STUDENT CAN BE MAINTAINED RATHER THAN HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF YEAR-TO-YEAR FUNDING. WHILE THE SPONSOR IS REQUIRED TO PAY ONE YEARS TUITION AT A TIME, THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL MUST AGREE AT THE ONSET TO SPONSOR THE STUDENT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOLARSHIP/EDUCATIONAL PERIOD.
- THE U.S. ORDER ENLISTS TALENTED, ACCOMPLISHED MEN AND WOMEN OF HIGH MORAL CHARACTER TO ADVOCATE AND PARTICIPATE IN CHARITABLE AND CIVIC CAUSES IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITES AS WELL AS TO SUPPORT THE ORDERS MAJOR INITIATIVES TO BUTTRESS A CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN THE HOLY LAND. THOSE WHO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS ARE SPIRITUALLY ENRICHED BY PARTICIPATING IN THE RECOVERY AND PERPETUATION OF THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT AND IDEALS THAT INSPIRED THE EARLY TEMPLARS. THE CEREMONIES AND RICH TRADITIONS OF THE ORDER HELP SHAPE OUR FOCUS ON THESE CAUSES.
- THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO OPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT AND SUPPORT OF HUMANITARIAN OBJECTIVES OF THE GRAND PRIORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OF THE SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM (HEREINAFTER SMOTJ), TO WIT, TO HELP CHRISTIANS AT RISK IN AND AROUND THE HOLY LAND AND TO KEEP THE PILGRIM ROADS TO THE HOLY LAND OPEN FOR ALL PEOPLE OF FAITH. SUCH ASSISTANCE MAY INCLUDE AID TO THE HOMELESS, GRANTS FOR PROJECTS AND PURPOSES FOR WHICH DEDICATED ESTATE PLEDGES ARE RECEIVED, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF SCHOLARSHIPS, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES THAT FIGHT INTOLERANCE, PROTECT MINORITIES AND PROVIDE AID TO THE NEEDY AND AFFLICTED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(10) domestic fraternal society.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.