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Episcopal Preaching Foundation Inc

EIN 31-1076110 · Springfield, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The foundation exists to promote and support preaching excellence in the Episcopal Church. The organization's focus on preaching reflects the importance of good preaching to the vitality of the church. Preaching is cited in national surveys (Gallup, 2017, and Pew Research Center, 2016) to be the leading factor in choosing a place of worship and attending services.

Income
$376,767
Spending
$645,513
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
51.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$85,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 51.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 71% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (5)
  1. $302,833 spent. The Preaching Excellence Program ("PEP") for Seminarians, held at the Diocese of Virginia's Roslyn Retreat Center, May 26-30th. Each year, the organization hosts 45-50 promising preaching students nominated by the deans of Episcopal seminaries, local formation programs, and Anglican seminaries in Canada, to a one-week residential conference with a single-minded focus on preaching. The organization underwrites 80% of the cost, with the balance funded by the student, his/her school, and the diocese. The organization's focus on preaching reflects the importance of good preaching to the vitality of the church. Preaching is cited repeatedly in national surveys (Gallup, 2017, and PEW Research Center, 2016) to be the leading factor in choosing a place of worship and attending services. (Expenses $ 19,548 including grants of $) Online preaching conferences for Episcopal Clergy The Foundation delivered two online conferences in the first quarter of 2025: The Conference for Spanish Speaking Clergy in Mid-March, for 14 participants representing diverse regions of the Episcopal Church. This is the second year's offering of this two-day conference, which EPF has been requested to offer as an annual event. A two-day online preaching conference for Episcopal Deacons of Episcopal Province IV was held in February 2025 with 35 attendees. (Expenses $ 6,232 including grants of $ 6,232) The Shilling Award for Excellence in Preaching EPF offers each Episcopal seminary the option to confer this $1,000 award to an outstanding preacher. In this fiscal year, the award was made by six Episcopal seminaries.
  2. $127,180 spent. Sermon Roundtable ("SRT") Previously, "The Preaching Congregation", funded by a five-year grant from Lilly Endowment, in which groups of congregants first receive instruction in the elements of sermon preparation, and subsequently provide affirmative feedback to their preacher on each Sunday's sermon. Launched in 2023 to be offered at the parish level, SRT is in the early post-launch stage and still gaining visibility in the Episcopal Church.
  3. $85,423 spent. The Lay Preacher Training Initiative ("LPTI") The four-year grant from Trinity Church Wall Street (2021-2024 for the creation, pilot testing, and national rollout of this program concluded in December 2024. In June 2025, 12 Episcopal dioceses were actively training approximately 70 new lay preachers using the robust one-year curriculum. Additionally, the curriculum is now being adapted with funding from the Iona Collaborative of Seminary of the Southwest, for integration into the Iona Curriculum for training future clergy and lay preachers in the 30 dioceses subscribing to the Iona Collaborative curriculum. The LPTI program draws on EPF's self-study homiletics (preaching) curriculum developed in 2020 in partnership with Seminary of the Southwest's Iona Collaborative. The Lay Preaching program is now self-funding through a combination of subscription revenue from Dioceses and grants. (Expenses $ 19,548 including grants of $) Online preaching conferences for Episcopal Clergy The Foundation delivered two online conferences in the first quarter of 2025: The Conference for Spanish Speaking Clergy in Mid-March, for 14 participants representing diverse regions of the Episcopal Church. This is the second year's offering of this two-day conference, which EPF has been requested to offer as an annual event. A two-day online preaching conference for Episcopal Deacons of Episcopal Province IV was held in February 2025 with 35 attendees. (Expenses $ 6,232 including grants of $ 6,232) The Shilling Award for Excellence in Preaching EPF offers each Episcopal seminary the option to confer this $1,000 award to an outstanding preacher. In this fiscal year, the award was made by six Episcopal seminaries.
  4. $19,548 spent. Online preaching conferences for Episcopal Clergy The Foundation delivered two online conferences in the first quarter of 2025: The Conference for Spanish Speaking Clergy in Mid-March, for 14 participants representing diverse regions of the Episcopal Church. This is the second year's offering of this two-day conference, which EPF has been requested to offer as an annual event. A two-day online preaching conference for Episcopal Deacons of Episcopal Province IV was held in February 2025 with 35 attendees.
  5. $6,232 spent. The Shilling Award for Excellence in Preaching EPF offers each Episcopal seminary the option to confer this $1,000 award to an outstanding preacher. In this fiscal year, the award was made by six Episcopal seminaries.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1984.

    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.