Ancient Faith Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The organization publishes Orthodox Christian books and literature and operates three internet religious radio stations for the purpose of introducing and teaching about Orthodox Christianity to the United States and the rest of the world.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 68%
- Employees
- 26
- Highest pay
- $135,387, president & ceo
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $1.8 million spent. Ancient Faith Publishing publishes a large number of books, booklets and brochures with regard to various aspects of Orthodox Christianity. It also sells religious icons, religious jewelery and liturgical items for the home. It also sells books from other publishers regarding Orthodox Christianity. Presently, Ancient Faith Publishing has approximately 240 active book titles in print in addition to E-books, audio-books and an array of literature in booklet/brochure format. Approximately 50% of its sales are to Orthodox and other Christian bookstores, churches and church bookstores. The other 50% of its sales are to individuals. It distributes Orthodox books and literature to approximately 2,000 wholesale customers (bookstores and church bookstores) as well as a number of individuals. The purpose of this distribution is to introduce Orthodox Christianity to non-ORthodox Christians and to enlighten and teach Orthodox Christians about their faith.
- $997,864 spent. Ancient Faith Radio operates three internet religious radio stations, two of which primarily provide music (English language and global) and the other of which primarily focuses on conversation, lectures and presentations about Orthodox Christianity. The radio stations' reach is primarily in the United States, but there are regular listeners in various other countries world-wide. At the present time, with regard to its podcasts, which feature a large number of speakers on a variety of religious topics, there are over 375,000 downloads of the content every month as well as nearly 46,000 episodes of podcasts and 8 live shows. The purpose of the content for these three radio stations and all the podcasts is to introduce Orthodox Christianity to non-Orthodox Christians and to enlighten and teach Orthodox Christians about their faith.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.