Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Icthus Ministries Inc

EIN 58-1970858 · Bryson City, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RETREAT CENTER FOR YOUTH, CHURCH,AND CIVIC GROUPS. HOST GATHERINGS; ATHLETIC, COMMUNITY, AND MILITARY GROUPS. FUNCTION IS PRIMARLY RELIGIOUS IN APPALACHIA.

Income
$134,178
Spending
$112,391
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
0
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$43,540, directorpresident

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 89% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $81,662 spent. PROVIDE A RETREAT CENTER & PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, CHURCH AND CIVIC GROUPS. ALSO, PROVIDED TEMPORARY REFUGE FOR PASTORS AND THEIR FAMILY. DURING FALL AND SPRING WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL ATHLETIC AND COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS. 2024 WE HOSTED APPROXIMATELY 950 PEOPLE AT THE HAVEN WHICH CONSISTED OF 21 GROUPS/ 408 PEOPLE/ 89 DAYS AT THE RETREAT CENTER. WE HOSTED 66 MINISTERS AND FAMILIES 134 DAYS IN OUR MINISTRY HOUSES.
  2. THE CANNING ROOM STILL PROVIDES A DEDICATED SPACE TO PREPARE, PRESERVE AND STORE FOOD. IT IS A PLACE TO TEACH HOW TO CAN, FREEZE DRY AND DEHYDRATE FRESH FOOD.

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 2024.

    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 June 1992.

    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.