St Johns Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 48% 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
Our mission is to inspire philanthropic action to support the mission of St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Inc.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $385,559
- Spent on programs
- 48%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 47%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 217
- Highest pay
- $332,627, president & ceo
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 76% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1548% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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, 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 (1)
- $184,627 spent. The primary exempt purpose of St. John's Foundation is to generate and provide support, financial and otherwise, that furthers the mission and ministry of our corporate member, St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.Established in 1989, the purpose of St. John's Foundation is to bring focus to fund-raising efforts, special campaigns, annual appeals, capital structures, special events and community relations. These components have proven to be essential in serving to link the needs of the community of St. John's with internal and external resources.Continued on Schedule OSt. John's needs the financial support of those who share our vision of quality care to all people, regardless of their financial status. Underlying that commitment is our Lord's passion to care and serve those that are most in need. Through the prudent management of gifts, 2024 was a very successful year that allowed the Foundation to support the St. John's mission of "providing living opportunities within nurturing environments of hope, dignity, and love."Support to ResidentsAs a ministry of the church and a not-for-profit corporation, St. John's is committed to providing a continuum of housing opportunities and supportive services primarily to the elderly. St. John's has made a commitment that no one will be turned away or asked to leave because of inability to pay. We served 947 seniors on our campus here in Billings in 2024 and served an additional 1,355 seniors in outlying communities. Below are examples of that service and support.1) Many residents are exhausting their financial resources sooner than anticipated. The Annual Fund supports those residents who cannot meet their financial needs. In 2024, resident subsidies included:* $2,691 rent subsidy for independent and assisted living residents,* $7,430 in subsidies for resident needs.2) Fundraising efforts starting in 2018 focused on an expected $8 million Endowment Campaign, the majority of which is to support resident care. In addition to large public support, donors include current and past Board members, upper management, and other St. John's employees. The campaign wrapped up in April 2022, raising $8.2 million over the course of the campaign.Support to EmployeesSt. John's employees are the heart and soul of our organization. Many employees work in challenging environments, both physically and mentally. They are providing 24 hour per day care for a very vulnerable population. 1) The Foundation offers financial support to those staff members and their dependents who commit themselves to personal and career growth. Scholarships of up to $1,500 were given to 13 employees continuing their education at an accredited two or four-year institution.2) Often times, employees may find themselves in an unexpected crisis. At any time, an employee may seek the resources of the Employee Crisis Fund through the Pastoral Care department with no questions asked. In 2024, 56 employees received $31,534 in support to help with such items as rent and utility assistance, prescription costs, vehicle repairs or school supplies for a child. 3) At Christmas, those employee families who do not have the means to enjoy the season are "adopted" by other employees, through our Share the Joy program, and given food and gifts to ensure that they too have a wonderful Christmas. During 2024, co-workers adopted 17 employee families through this program.Support to the CommunitySt. John's is a ministry serving more than just our staff and residents. We are committed to serving our community and those communities around us in any capacity we can. An example of that support is the Summer Concert Season. The Foundation's signature event is the Summer Concert Series. St. John's presents seven free concerts for our residents and the outside community each summer, on our main campus, as well as at the Crossings and Wyndstone facilities. From its humble beginnings in 1998 to a thriving series going strong for the last 24 years, the concerts have become a summer tradition for many. It is common to have close to 2,500 music lovers each week at the concerts with an annual attendance of 9,000 people. The Foundation relies on the support of volunteers, staff and sponsors to help ensure its success. Direct costs, paid with sponsor contributions, allow the concerts to remain free for the community. Other Ministry SupportPreviously the St. John's Foundation Board voted to distribute endowment earnings equivalent to 5% of endowment value annually, paid on a quarterly basis, to St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Inc. During 2024, the Foundation distributed $290,168 to St. John's to help cover nursing home and other operating expenses. Endowment funds support the following program areas. 1) Student internships and higher education, 2) special needs adoptions, 3) spiritual care to residents, staff and volunteers, 4) dementia care, and 5) resident care, specifically the gap between our current cost of care and the Medicaid daily rate.The Foundation launched the Nursing Apprentice Fellowship program in 2020. The program was originally funded through a separate endowment campaign plus matching funds from the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation, and continues to accept new contributions. The purpose of the program is to provide nursing school tuition assistance and career applicable employment to students pursuing their LPN or RN degree. In 2024, 16 fellows received tuition assistance and $69,070 in total expenses were covered under the program. St. John's United Family Services is another ministry of St. John's. The adoption support services offer hope to those in need. These services include birthparent counseling, adoptive family preparation, mental health counseling, search and reunion services, and post-adoption counseling. Designated donations offset some of these costs. In 2024, Family Services served 206 individuals and families and had a role in the placement of 1 child in fore
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.