Shepherds Spring Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
AT SHEPHERD'S SPRING WE SHALL SEEK TO ENGAGE THE WORLD WITH THE REALITY OF THE RISEN JESUS SO AS TO INSPIRE HOPE AND CULTIVATE LIFE-LONG LEARNING.
- Income
- $568,516
- Spending
- $760,917
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 18
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: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 34% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $66,068 spent. HEIFER GLOBAL VILLAGE IS ONE OF ONLY TWO EDUCATIONAL VILLAGES OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONLY ONE EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. GLOBAL VILLAGE WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, AN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION STARTED BY MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ERADICATE HUNGER AND POVERTY THROUGH THE GIFTS OF LIVESTOCK, EDUCATION, AND EMPOWERMENT WHILE CARING FOR THE EARTH. HEIFER PROVIDES US WITH CURRICULUM AND MARKETING TOOLS, AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING AND FACILITATION OF HEIFER PROGRAMS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VILLAGE. OUR VILLAGE CONSISTS OF MODEL LIVING CONDITIONS OF GUATEMALA, KENYA, THAILAND, TIBET, MOZAMBIQUE, APPALACHIA, AND A REFUGEE SITE. DURING 2024, WE HAD 636 PARTICIPANTS.
- $117,454 spent. THE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS AGED 6 - ADULT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION THROUGH BIBLE STUDY, SWIMMING, HIKING, GARDEN AND NATURE DISCOVERIES, GAMES, AND MEALS. OUR CAMPS ARE ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION. DURING 2024, WE HAD 66 PARTICIPANTS.
- $389,065 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A GATHERING SPACE FOR GROUPS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. WHETHER IT'S A BUSINESS GROUP FOR A DAY RETREAT WITH TEAMBUILDING AND A DELICIOUS MEAL, A GROUP OF QUILTERS BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF LATE NIGHT STITCHING, A HUNDRED BOY SCOUTS EXPLORING OUR TRAILS AND MEADOWS AT A WEEKEND CAMPOREE, OR AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKING SOLACE AND SOLITUDE, ALL GUESTS FIND WAYS TO MAKE SHEPHERD'S SPRING THEIR OWN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. SOME SAVOR THE QUIET INDOOR SPACES, WHILE OTHERS USE OUR FACILITIES AS A HOME BASE FOR THEIR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES ON OUR BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY OR NEARBY ATTRACTIONS. IN 2024, 1,880 RETREATERS EXPERIENCED PEACE, GROWTH, AND SERENITY.
- $36,792 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.