Orthodox Christian Laity
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OCL is a pan-Orthodox educational and advocacy ministry formed in 1987 to: advocate for the restoration and strengthening of the historic role of thelaity in the conciliar governance of the Orthodox Church in the United States; support the spiritual renewal and regeneration of the Orthodox ChristianChurch in the United States in its Apostolic Mission; advocate for and promote transparency and accountability in the governance of the OrthodoxChurch in the United States; advocate for and champion the establishment of an administratively and canonically-unified, self-governing autocephalousOrthodox Christian Church in the United States
- Income
- $83,820
- Spending
- $111,636
- Reserves
- 47.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- Mailing of three newsletters to approximately 3500 physical addresses and 6,500 email addresses.
- OCL held its in-person 38th Annual Board Meeting and Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring presentations by four speakers coming from New Jersey, Tennessee and California related to topics of Orthodox Christian Unity in the United States and posted video recordings of all the sessions on OCL's YouTube channel.
- Weekly posting of articles and information on ocl.org, monthly production and distribution of an e-newsletter to 6,000 subscribers, bi-monthly online meetings and programs for board members and the general public on various topics.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 May 1988.
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.