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Strong Tower Ranch

EIN 43-1666053 · Wright City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To organize, conduct and maintain a ranch for the development of character and to improve the spiritual, mental, vocational, recreational, social physical condition of boys girls. To manage and operate the ranch and its activities for the purpose of diffusing a general knowledge of the Bible and its teaching through lectures, activities fellowship.

Income
$286,239
Spending
$282,931
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
-4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
2,024

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 61% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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 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 (3)
  1. $148,787 spent. Strong Tower Ranch provides free year-around horse programs and summer day camps for children who have challenging life circumstances. Strong Tower Ranch also provides day camp programs to paid campers. Together they served 407 children in 2024.. The Day Camps mission is to provide a high quality, Christ-centered day camp experience for children and youth aged 8-14. They strive to have activities that are both entertaining and character building. Activities include but are not limited to swimming, boating, horseback riding, games, creation classes, singing, Bible lessons, crafts, archery, outdoor cooking, obstable course, hay rides, hiking and fishing. The Horsemanship Camps give the solid foundation it takes to be a skilled, safe rider, while building a relationship of trust and respect with the horse. Those same attributes are carried over in the daily devotional as they learn more about how they can strengthen their relationship with Jesus. Camp times are from 9am-4pm Monday through Thursday and 9am-5pm on Friday during the summer.
  2. $2,603 spent. Facilities are available for rental by churches and other nonprofit groups with similar ministry. Several churches and groups have served during our camps as well. The Wilderness cabin is available for families and groups to rent for retreats and other activities. Several mission groups also stayed there while serving during camp weeks.
  3. $1,548 spent. The Ranch has a worker to camper ratio between 12 and 13 each camp week. We have first aid staff and a certified life guard on the Ranch property during camp hours. Our campps provide training and mentoring and service opportunities for youth and adult volunteers. All staff goes through training which includes Child Protection Policies. Background checks are done on staff members aged 18 and up. We trained approximately 137 adults and teens in Christian leadership and evangelism.

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 May 1995.

    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.