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Centers for Apologetics Research Inc

EIN 33-0841288 · San Juan Capo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Centers For Apologetics Research Inc.'s mission is to support pastors in foreign countries as they contend for the historic Christian faith. Efforts include research, training, and producing print and digital resources for pastors and others.

Income
$363,477
Spending
$366,204
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $212,974 spent. Grants to East Africa. Promoted practical Christian apologetics among pastors, chaplains, seminarians, high-school and university students, and the general Christian public via research, writing, translation, and distribution of Christian literature, as well as training courses. Television interviews and pre-recorded messages in English and Runyankore. Radio messages in English, Luganda, and Swahili. Translation of informational literature into various local languages.
  2. $61,192 spent. Grants to Russia. Promoted the production and distribution of Christian apologetics materials for pastors and others by: (1) developing online resources for use by the general public and Christians in Russia-including quarterly research bulletin and online news summaries; (2) teaching on apologetics and contemporary cult groups at Christian churches, universities, and seminaries; (3) researching new religious groups active in Russian-speaking countries (4) developing print and online teaching resources to clarify differences between the historic Christian faith and other religious ideologies and spiritual movements, including weekly live-stream presentations. Participated in radio programs on new and controversial religious groups
  3. $51,192 spent. Grants to Southern Africa. Printing and distribution of educational literature on new religious groups. Informational presentations via Christian radio and livestream Internet interviews. Promoted practical Christian apologetics among pastors, elders, seminarians, parachurch workers, and the general Christian public via classes and conferences in Zambia and Malawi. Conducted field research on controversial spiritual movements of local and foreign origin. Counseled persons adversely affected by abusive and exploitative religious entities.
  4. $13,276 spent. Additional grants to foreign locations totaled $11,900. Grants to Brazil - $1,000. Grants to Hungary $10,900. The service accomplishments for Brazil and Hungary are similar and consistent with the service organizations described for the areas described in sections 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) of Part III form.

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 November 6, 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 July 1999.

    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 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.