Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Embark Ministries Inc

EIN 27-4513522 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNTETHERED TO A SPECIFIC CHURCH, EMBARK EXISTS TO BUILD STRONG GODLY MEN OF FAITH AND SIGNIFICANCE THROUGH UNIQUE BIBLE-CENTERED CONTENT THAT INSPIRES AND EQUIPS THEM TO BECOME BETTER LEADERS, HUSBANDS, AND FATHERS. EMBARK BUILDS MEN OF DEEP FAITH IN GOD.

Income
$416,429
Spending
$302,974
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
20.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
2
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$157,967, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 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, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $155,005 spent. EMBARK MINISTRIES HOLDS WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES FOR MEN WITH MATERIALS WRITTEN BY BRAD SMALL FOCUSING ON DEEPENING THEIR FAITH AND EQUIPPING THEM TO BE GODLY LEADERS. STUDIES ARE HELD IN SECULAR SETTINGS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY 200 MEN ARE ACTIVE IN THIS PROGRAM. EMBARK LEADERSHIP SERVES MEN THROUGH COUNSELING, MENTORING, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND ADVISING IN LIFE CHOICES.
  2. $26,872 spent. EMBARK PRODUCES AND DISSEMINATES AN ONLINE WEEKLY VIDEO TEACHING AND CORRESPONDING GROUP STUDY MATERIAL. MEN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY USE THIS MATERIAL AND VIDEOS FOR PERSONAL USE AND LEADINGS GROUPS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 426 YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS.
  3. $23,846 spent. EMBARK PROMOTES ORGANIC BUILDING OF COMMUNITY THROUGH HOSTING DINNERS, SPORTING EVENTS, CAR SHOWS, ETC. THIS BUILDS STRONG, FAITH-DRIVEN, LASTING RELATIONSHIPS. EMBARK ALSO LEADS TRIPS INCLUDING CAMPING, CRUISES, AND FISHING TRIPS FOR DEEPER FELLOWSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP. EVERY TRIP IS DESIGNED TO REACH MEN FOR CHRIST AND DEEPEN THEIR FAITH. IN APRIL 2025, EMBARK HOSTED A MEN'S EVENT FOR MEN TO INVITE THEIR FRIENDS TO BE INTRODUCED TO EMBARK. WE PROVIDED DINNER AND SPEAKER. THIS WAS A ONE- TIME EVENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    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 January 2016.

    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.