Skip to the page content
Passes our checks

Explorers Bible Study Association

EIN 87-0400516 · Dickson, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EXPLORER'S BIBLE STUDY IS A NON-DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO INVITE ALL TO A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD THROUGH IN DEPTH STUDY OF THE BIBLE. COURSES ARE TAUGHT BY VOLUNTEER TEACHERS IN COMMUNITY BASED CLASSES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$379,147
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
48.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 72%
Employees
4
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$87,600, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 48.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 229% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 August 31, 2025, 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. $212,104 spent. 1. TO BRING INDIVIDUALS CLOSER TO GOD THROUGH IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE BIBLE, UNDERSTANDING GOD THROUGH THE READING OF HIS REVELATION OF HIMSELF IN THE BIBLE, COMING TO KNOW HIS SON JESUS CHRIST IN ALL HIS FULLNESS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 2. TO HELP ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF DAILY BIBLE STUDY AND TO MAKE THE BIBLE A LIVING AND INTERESTING BOOK FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN ITS STUDY. 3. TO MAKE BIBLE STUDY RELEVANT TO DAILY LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TO MAKE GOD'S PROMISES EFFECTIVE IN EACH STUDENT'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. - CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O
  2. LINE 4A - FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT 4. TO EQUIP AND MOTIVATE INDIVIDUALS TO CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES, SUPPORTING THEM FAITHFULLY IN PRAYER, STEWARDSHIP AND SERVICE. 5. TO HELP INDIVIDUALS MAKE A GREATER IMPACT FOR CHRIST IN THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY, COMMUNICATING TO OTHERS WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED AND RECEIVED, BEING ALERT TO OPPORTUNITIES TO AFFECT OTHERS FOR GOOD, SERVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 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 July 1985.

    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.