Wetsembekile Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The primary purpose for which Wetsembekile Ministries exists is to come alongside rural and impoverished communities in Eswatini(Swaziland), Africa, to see churches becoming healthy and taking care of the physical, spiritual, and relational needs of their communities.
- Income
- $632,490
- Spending
- $864,238
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 84
- Highest pay
- $60,000, vice 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
Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 328% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 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)
- $92,252 spent. Community Centers Programs, Projects, and Food : During 2024, Wetsembekile Ministries maintained facilities and wells at 3 community centers, feeding orphaned and vulnerable children approximately 1800 meals over 6 days a week - 90,000 meals in a year. Providing food and clean water improved the lives of hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children and surrounding community members. Wetsembekile Ministries staff and volunteers hosted fun days and weekly programs at the community centers to help children grow in being more physically, emotionally, relationally,and spiritually healthy. Free preschool was provided for children of the community. At 2 of the community centers,soccer pitches and netball courts were cleared, providing a place for kids to be active but safe as they play. In December, Christmas food parcels were distributed to over 200 families.
- $75,311 spent. Benevolence and Community Outreach: In 2024, Wetsembekile Ministries continued to provide food, housing and basic household improvements for people with no or severly inadequate housing, funds for medical help, and assistance in paying for transportation, uniforms and fees for school for struggling people in the community, including child-led homesteads. A home was built for an elderly widow caring for her grandchildren. The 3 wells and the water distribution systems established in prior years continue to provide clean water to over 250 homesteads.
- $654,525 spent. Local Farm: Unemployment & food security are 2 of the biggest obstacles to people being holistically healthy in Eswatini. As part of Wetsembekiles vision to see health throughout the communities, Wetsembekile has purchased a 360 acre farm to grow food and provide jobs for local Swazis. In 2024 additional land was purchased & the perimeter cleared. On the first portion of the farm, beans were grown, drip irrigation was installed, and additional land was cleared. In 2024, 80 people were impacted by the jobs provided at the farm, impacting over close to 600 people when you include those living at their homesteads. Not only does this land serve as a living classroom and a source of food security, but it also keeps families together, because parents can work close to home and be home for their children each evening instead of just one weekend a month.
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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 September 2016.
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 November 4, 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.