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Sports World Ministries Incorporated

EIN 23-7073822 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 30% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SPORTS WORLD IS TO SEND FORMER PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES TO SHARE PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES WITH STUDENTS, HELPING THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR CHOICES WHILE CHALLENGING THEM WITH THE MESSAGE OF HOPE.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
30%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
12
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$90,000, 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

Weak: 29 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    30% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $416,975 spent. FOR OVER 44 YEARS, SPORTS WORLD HAS BEEN SENDING FORMER PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES INTO SCHOOLS TO SHARE PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES WITH STUDENTS, HELPING THEM TO RECOGNIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR CHOICES WHILE CHALLENGING THEM WITH THE MESSAGE OF HOPE. RATHER THAN CREATING SHAME FOR POOR CHOICES, WE SHOW STUDENTS HOW TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES WITH MORE POSITIVE OUTCOMES. WE ALSO HELP STUDENTS IN CRISIS BY CONNECTING THEM WITH SCHOOL AND LOCAL RESOURCES AND WITH OUR 24/7 COUNSELING SERVICE, REMEDY LIVE. SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1978, WE HAVE IMPACTED OVER 22 MILLION YOUTH. OUR MESSAGE IS SUMMED UP IN OUR MOTTO: YOURE NOT BORN A WINNER; YOURE NOT BORN A LOSER; YOURE BORN A CHOOSER

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 July 1997.

    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.