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The Colossian Forum

EIN 27-4553768 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE GIVE CHRISTIANS HOPE AND A PLAN TO NAVIGATE CONFLICT WITH COURAGE AND LOVE.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
12
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$151,608, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 72% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 198% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE COLOSSIAN FORUM (TCF) TAKES ITS NAME AND INSPIRATION FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL'S STUNNING PROCLAMATION IN COLOSSIANS 1:17 THAT "ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER IN CHRIST." TODAY, IN A TIME OF DEEP DIVISIONS BETWEEN CHRISTIANS, ST. PAUL'S SIX WORDS CHANGE EVERYTHING. THEY REVEAL THAT ALL REALITY IS ULTIMATELY UNITED IN JESUS-AND THEREFORE ALL DIVISIONS AND ANIMOSITIES ARE RECONCILED IN HIM. TCF IS DEDICATED TO RECLAIMING THIS LIBERATING TRUTH AND PROCLAIMING IT TO ALL CHRISTIANS WHO ARE DIVIDED. SINCE TCF'S FOUNDING, WE HAVE PRIMARILY DONE THIS WORK BY INVITING PEOPLE INTO CONVERSATIONS ON CONTENTIOUS TOPICS THROUGH THE HOSTING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FORUMS, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, AND OFFERING CHRISTIAN SCHOLARSHIP. IN 2022, WE LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT CHURCH, CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP. THIS PROGRAM, CALLED WAYFINDER, AIMS TO EXTEND OUR MISSION INTO THE LIFE OF A CHURCH, SCHOOL, OR BUSINESS. THE PROGRAM TRAINS AND COACHES LEADERS IN PRACTICES OF CHRISTIAN CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION WITH THE AIM OF BUILDING AN INTENTIONAL AND INVITATIONAL CULTURE AROUND CONFLICT. WAYFINDER DELIVERS BOTH HOPE IN THE FACE OF CONFICT AND PRACTICAL AND EFFECTIVE TOOLS THAT LEADERS CAN USE TO COLLECTIVELY ENGAGE CONFLICT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN WAYS THAT GROW LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR. THE COLOSSIAN FORUM (TCF) TAKES ITS NAME AND INSPIRATION FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL'S STUNNING PROCLAMATION IN COLOSSIANS 1:17 THAT "ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER IN CHRIST." TODAY, IN A TIME OF DEEP DIVISIONS BETWEEN CHRISTIANS, ST. PAUL'S SIX WORDS CHANGE EVERYTHING. THEY REVEAL THAT ALL REALITY IS ULTIMATELY UNITED IN JESUS-AND THEREFORE ALL DIVISIONS AND ANIMOSITIES ARE RECONCILED IN HIM. TCF IS DEDICATED TO RECLAIMING THIS LIBERATING TRUTH AND PROCLAIMING IT TO ALL CHRISTIANS WHO ARE DIVIDED. SINCE TCF'S FOUNDING, WE HAVE PRIMARILY DONE THIS WORK BY INVITING PEOPLE INTO CONVERSATIONS ON CONTENTIOUS TOPICS THROUGH THE HOSTING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FORUMS, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, AND OFFERING CHRISTIAN SCHOLARSHIP. IN 2022, WE LAUNCHED A NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT CHURCH, CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP. THIS PROGRAM, CALLED WAYFINDER, AIMS TO EXTEND OUR MISSION INTO THE LIFE OF A CHURCH, SCHOOL, OR BUSINESS. THE PROGRAM TRAINS AND COACHES LEADERS IN PRACTICES OF CHRISTIAN CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION WITH THE AIM OF BUILDING AN INTENTIONAL AND INVITATIONAL CULTURE AROUND CONFLICT. WAYFINDER DELIVERS BOTH HOPE IN THE FACE OF CONFICT AND PRACTICAL AND EFFECTIVE TOOLS THAT LEADERS CAN USE TO COLLECTIVELY ENGAGE CONFLICT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN WAYS THAT GROW LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 July 2011.

    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.