Saint John Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 42% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To inspire, equip, and engage Christians to lead in family, business, and culture through innovative formation programs and communities. This is done through Eagle Eye Ministries, Saint John Leadership Institute, Saint John Leadership Network, and Dare Great Things.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 42%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 40
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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1542% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 (3)
- $533,025 spent. The impact of our programs included 150+ live events, 58K+ podcast downloads, 450+ virtual events, and impacted 95,300+ lives. SJIs Leadership Masterclasses expanded live event capabilities, hosting 6 additional date nights for Catholic marriages in OH and CO. Added 2 women-focused retreats. Launched Womens Faith and Fit Hike. Holy Week retreat, hired a full-time Event Coordinator. Hired a Corporate Leadership Trainer to equip large businesses with Christian leadership formation. Published workbooks, study guides and handbooks to enhance learning in leadership programs, retreats, and workshops. Expanded MBLS leadership series with external speakers. Renovated classroom and co-work space to allow for additional program participants.
- $157,419 spent. DGT: Media arm of SJI transformed our website into a managed service platform for events, donations and memberships. Produced non-profit radio show, launched public access to online video content, expanded livestream capabilities, built podcast room, upgraded social media presence, produced a Holy Land Video. Added paid content. Hired a designer to draw broader audience to online content.
- $137,587 spent. EEM accomplishments: 3 Summer Institutes in 3 states, 4 retreats, 4 annual excursions in NM, UT, WY, CA, 1 pilgrimage to Greece. Added Spiritual Chaplain to faculty.
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 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 2017.
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.