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Godly Play Foundation

EIN 31-1589053 · Ashland, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Godly Play Foundation is a non-profit religious and educational organization created for the purpose of facilitating the practice of Godly Play through research, training and resources.

Income
$813,607
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
25.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
11
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$138,911, executive director

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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, 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)
  1. $227,256 spent. Publications and Materials: In December 2007, The Godly Play Foundation was gifted a series of publications including the "Complete Guide to Godly Play" volumes 1 through 6 from the founder and author, The Reverend Dr. Jerome Berryman. Additional publications and articles continue to be developed and gifted to the Foundation with the "Complete Guide" now at 8 volumes. Godly Play Foundation receives royalty income from its publisher, Church Publishing, Incorporated. Godly Play is a Montessori based program and, as such, there are materials (e.g. Arks, Temples) that are used in combination with the publications to deliver the Godly Play method. Godly Play Foundation is producing and selling the materials that support its programs through it's Godly Play Resources division.
  2. $293,143 spent. Everyday Godly Play: In 2022, Godly Play received a grant that allows the organization to expand their resources to support parents and caregivers in their homes and through their faith communites. The project will include an online hub for resources, inspiration, and community building for parents and caregivers with relevant pathways for religious education leaders. The overarching goals of this project are to:Empower parents and caregivers to foster a sustainable and integrated family spirituality through these critical activities, equipping them to incorporate rhythm, wonder, play, and narrative in their relationships with their children by providing access to resources, courses, storytelling materials, and community support. Equip religious education professionals to imagine and implement innovative models for empowering and equipping parents and caregivers to sustain an integrated family spirituality. Support clergy and church leadership in cultivating a faith community that embraces and promotes a holistic approach to ministry centered on the spiritual needs of children and families.
  3. $378,318 spent. Research and Development: The Godly Play Foundation through its division, The Center for the Theology of Childhood, conducts research and development into childhood spirituality and the practices of nurturing and developing that spirituality through story and play. The Center also is responsible for Godly Play publications, creating new and revising current editions.The Foundation also provides membership support services as well as international development activites.
  4. $174,010 spent. U.S. & International Training: Godly Play Foundation trains and supports a network of independent Godly Play Trainers in the United States and Internationally. The Godly Play approach teaches classical religious (e.g. Christian, Quaker, Jewish) language in a way that enhances the child's authentic experience of God. Trainers learn to us Montessori's approach to education to stimulate children's active participation in story and ritual and to awaken their creativity for the learning of the language, sacred stories, parables, liturgical action and silence of their religious tradition. The Godly Play Foundation maintains and enchances the offerings and curriculum used by the trainer network as they train church school teachers, hospital chaplains and others who use the Godly Play method.

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 June 1998.

    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.