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Spark Development Network Inc

EIN 45-3936247 · Peoria, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPARK DEVELOPMENT NETWORK (SPARK) IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES COLLABORATION, INNOVATION AND OPENNESS FOR CHURCH TECHNOLOGY. WE'RE TIRED OF WATCHING CHURCHES STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE QUALITY SOFTWARE THEY NEED TO FULFILL THEIR VISION. WE'RE PASSIONATE (SEE SCHEDULE O) ABOUT BRINGING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, MATCHED WITH GREAT DESIGN, TO FREE OPEN-SOURCE SOLUTIONS FOR CHURCHES.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
14.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
3
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$90,104, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $2.1 million spent. UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE NON-PROFIT SPARK DEVELOPMENT NETWORK, ROCK BRINGS CUTTING-EDGE, INNOVATIVE TECH SOLUTIONS ON AN OPEN-SOURCE PLATFORM TO CHURCHES THAT WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO THIS LEVEL OF SOLUTION. ROCK SOLVES PROBLEMS SO PEOPLE CAN FOCUS ON MINISTRY. ROCK ENABLES PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY DO, BETTER, MORE SEAMLESSLY, AND MORE CREATIVELY. THE BASIC, FULLY FUNCTIONAL SOFTWARE IS FREE TO ANY NON-PROFIT USER.
  2. $1.4 million spent. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR ROCK RMS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GATHER IN ONE LOCATION TO LEARN ABOUT THE UPDATES TO THE PRODUCT, VISION FOR THE FUTURE, AND TO NETWORK WITH OTHER MEMBERS. SPARK DEVELOPMENT NETWORK COORDINATED THE SPONSORSHIPS, SESSIONS, TRAINING, AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE EVENT. WE HAD HAD 662 ATTENDEES IN PERSON REPRESENTING 175 ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $508,468 spent. THE SPARK DEVELOPMENT NETWORK PRODUCES WRITTEN AND VIDEO DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING MATERIALS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE ONLINE TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT USE ROCK. IT ALSO PRODUCES TRAINING CLASSES AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO ATTEND IN PERSON AND ONLINE. THESE MATERIALS PROVIDE PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE, PRODUCT VISION, AND APPLICATION TIPS.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 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 April 2013.

    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 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.