The Encounter
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 Encounter exists to facilitate worship and prayer experiences for individuals and groups and to provide the spaces and equipment for use in support of that purpose. Further The Encounter exists to create content and guided experiences to help individuals and groups encounter God exchange false identity and limiting beliefs for the Truth and become fully alive fully human and fully free.
- Income
- $494,318
- Spending
- $636,152
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- -3.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
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: 18 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 1518% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $250,000 spent. Facilitated the creation of Finding Hope In Depression, a 21-part series of short video episodes that help viewers learn explore and practice ways to combat the rising epidemic of mental health challenges Gods way. The YouTube channel Finding Hope In Depression was established to provide this resource to the public free-of-charge. As of December 31 2024 the channel had over 1,600 subscribers over 122,200 views and over 15,250 of watch time.
- $150,000 spent. Facilitated guided live immersive worship and prayer experiences. Events occurred at least several times monthly. While most events were open to the public they were also conducted for smaller groups seeking worship and prayer experiences focused on specific topics or groups of individuals. Attendance ranged from 10 to over 100 persons. In August 2024 the organization launched Encounter Studios, a streaming channel on YouTube to extend both the accessibility and reach of the worship and prayer experience. As of December 31 2024 the channel had over 3,600 hours of watch time and was viewed worldwide.
- $147,091 spent. Facilitated creation of multiple short-length videos designed to draw viewers into encounters with God. Distributed for maximum use and reach via website social media live events and fundraising efforts. Views estimated to be in the thousands. Also development of Encounter.Studio website to facilitate content distribution in support of organizations mission.
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 April 2022.
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.