Set Free Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SET FREE MINISTRIES (SFM) EXISTS TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS THROUGH BIBLICAL TRAINING, COUNSELING AND JUSTICE. IN DOING SO, WE EQUIP INDIVIDUALS AND CHURCHES TO BRING GOD'S HEALING AND WHOLENESS TO HURTING PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.
- Income
- $4.3 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 21
- Highest pay
- $163,919, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 61% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (2)
- $972,881 spent. DOMESTIC MINISTRY: SET FREE MINISTRIES (SFM) PROVIDES BIBLICAL COUNSELING SERVICES THAT APPLY BIBLICAL TRUTH AND REMOVE SPIRITUAL BARRIERS RESULTING IN DEEPENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH JESUS CHRIST. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH "FREEDOM APPOINTMENTS" OF WHICH THERE WERE OVER 400 PARTICIPANTS, IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY. ADDITIONALLY, SFM PROVIDED INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES THE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS WORKING OUT OF THE LOCAL OFFICE WERE PROVIDED IN 2 SESSIONS REACHING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 INDIVIDUALS.
- $1.3 million spent. INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY: SET FREE MINISTRIES (SFM) PROVIDES TRAINING IN FREEDOM IN CHRIST PRINCIPLES IN CHURCHES IN UGANDA, BURUNDI, KENYA, MYANMAR, MIZORAM, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. MISSION TRIPS ARE CONDUCTED TO UGANDA AND KENYA TO ASSIST IN THE WORK. ADDITIONALLY, WE PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT GRANTS FOR FOOD, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, LAND PURCHASE, CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES, AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND LOCAL CHURCHES.
Source: Form 990 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 January 2000.
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.