Joni and Friends
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO GLORIFY GOD AS WE COMMUNICATE THE GOSPEL AND MOBILIZE THE GLOBAL CHURCH TO EVANGELIZE, DISCIPLE, AND SERVE PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY.
- Income
- $50.9 million
- Spending
- $50.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 284
- Volunteers
- 9,333
- Highest pay
- $411,078, founder/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: 82 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 15 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 (6)
- $21.7 million spent. JONI AND FRIENDS RETREATS AND GETAWAY PROGRAMS WERE DESIGNED TO SERVE EACH MEMBER OF FAMILIES LIVING WITH DISABILITY AND STRENGTHEN THEM PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, RELATIONALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY IN A CHRIST-CENTERED, WEEKLONG, CAMP ENVIRONMENT THAT IS SAFE AND ACCEPTING FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. THIS INCLUDES RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS RESOURCE TEACHINGS, GAMES, ONE ON ONE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND MUCH MORE. THE ACTIVITIES HELP EACH FAMILY MEMBER TO GAIN THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO THRIVE AND CONVEY THAT EACH IS A VALUED INDIVIDUAL AND AN IMAGE BEARER OF GOD, WORTHY OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT. JONI AND FRIENDS FAMILY RETREATS PROVIDE A UNIQUE SERVICE TO FAMILIES LIVING WITH DISABILITY BY PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR THESE FAMILIES TO RECEIVE CHRISTIAN COUNSEL, ENCOURAGEMENT, RESPITE, AND RESOURCES TO HELP THEM OVERCOME THE DAILY CHALLENGES OF LIFE WITH DISABILITY. JONI AND FRIENDS (JAF) KNOWS OF NO OTHER ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES THE SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES TO ATTEND A RETREAT TOGETHER WHERE EACH PERSON RECEIVES LOVE, ATTENTION, PERSONALLY FULFILLING ACTIVITIES, AND REJUVENATING REST.JONI AND FRIENDS FAMILY RETREAT PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED ENCOURAGEMENT AND RESOURCES IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY SERVING NEARLY 26,156 FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DISABILITY SINCE 1991, AND JONI AND FRIENDS HAS HOSTED 839 FAMILY RETREATS DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONAL SINCE 2006.JONI AND FRIENDS WARRIOR GETAWAY WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SERVE THE GROWING NUMBER OF SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN RETURNING HOME FROM SERVICE WITH LIFE-ALTERING DISABILITIES BOTH SEEN AND UNSEEN. THEY LIVE WITH MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS DUE TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR. AT WARRIOR GETAWAY, VETERAN FAMILIES CAN FIND A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR DAY-TO-DAY CHALLENGES AND CARING VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP THEM TO FIND RENEWED JOY, COURAGE, AND HOPE AND HEALING IN CHRIST. THIS MULTI-DAY RETREAT WAS UNIQUELY DESIGNED NOT ONLY FOR THE WARRIOR WHO WAS DEPLOYED TO AN ACTIVE COMBAT ZONE BUT ALSO FOR HIS/HER FAMILY, INCLUDING SPOUSE, CHILDREN, OR PARENTS LIVING IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD. TO HONOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN AND THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, THE COST FOR ATTENDING THE WARRIOR GETAWAY IS 100% SPONSORED FOR EACH NEW WARRIOR AND THEIR FAMILY.JONI AND FRIENDS HAS SERVED 740 VETERAN FAMILIES THROUGH 2024 AND IS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF WARRIOR GETAWAYS TO BETTER SERVE THIS GROUP. ADDITIONAL RETREATS WILL OPEN IN 2025 TO IMPACT A GREATER NUMBER OF FAMILIES. JONI AND FRIENDS ALSO HOST MARRIAGE GETAWAYS FOR COUPLES AND SINGLE PARENT GETAWAYS FOR PARENTS RAISING THEIR CHILD(REN) ALONE.INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES WORKS WITH INTERNATIONAL IN-COUNTRY PARTNERS IN EIGHT STRATEGICALLY LOCATED HUB COUNTRIES TO IMPLEMENT AND LAUNCH NEW WHEELS FOR THE WORLD OUTREACHES, INTERNATIONAL FAMILY RETREATS, AND JONI'S HOUSE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE GLOBE. THESE LOCATIONS INCLUDE EASTERN EUROPE, EAST AFRICA, INDIA, SOUTH AMERICA, CHINA, BRAZIL, MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA (MENA) AND CENTRAL AMERICA, WHERE JONI AND FRIENDS HAS PLACED A REGIONAL COORDINATOR TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH INDIGENOUS CHURCHES AND PARTNERS TO SERVE THOSE LIVING WITH DISABILITY IN THESE REGIONS.
- $9.6 million spent. JONI AND FRIENDS WHEELS FOR THE WORLD PROGRAM PROVIDES A CUSTOM FIT WHEELCHAIR, ALONG WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, TO PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISABILITY WORLDWIDE. JONI AND FRIENDS VOLUNTEERS COLLECT USED, BUT RESTORABLE, WHEELCHAIRS. INMATES THEN RESTORE THE WHEELCHAIRS TO LIKE-NEW CONDITION IN ELEVEN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND ONE IN A GRANT PARTNER'S FACILITY IN EL SALVADOR. IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNTS SHOWN, IN 2024, JONI AND FRIENDS ALSO RECEIVED OVER $4.1 MILLION OF DONATED LABOR AND FACILITIES USED FOR WHEELCHAIR RESTORATION. JONI AND FRIENDS WHEELCHAIR DELIVERIES ARE ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY VOLUNTEER TEAMS OF TRAINED DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO SPECIALLY FIT EACH WHEELCHAIR TO THE RECIPIENT WITH NO CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION REQUIRED. EVERY CHAIR RECIPIENT WILL RECEIVE A BIBLE IN HIS/HER OWN LANGUAGE AND AN OFFER TO DISCUSS THE BIBLE AND RECEIVE PRAYER. THE GOSPEL IS LOVINGLY SHARED WITH RECIPIENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS BY LOCAL PASTORS. JONI AND FRIENDS PARTNERS WITH DISABILITY MINISTRIES IN SELECT COUNTRIES ON A PERMANENT BASIS. LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH STRATEGIC IN-COUNTRY PARTNERSHIPS. THROUGH 2024, JONI AND FRIENDS HAS DELIVERED 239,133 RESTORED WHEELCHAIRS TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY IN 90 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD SINCE 1994.
- $4.6 million spent. JONI'S HOUSE INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY CENTERS: JONI'S HOUSE IS A NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD THAT PROVIDE ONGOING REHABILITATION AND WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES TO THOSE IMPACTED BY DISABILITY. IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS, JONI'S HOUSE PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOR THE PHYSICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND CAREGIVERS. JAF PARTNERS WITH ITS NETWORK OF LOCAL CHURCHES AND AGENCIES TO EXPAND ITS REACH DEEP INTO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO TRANSFORM THE WORLDVIEW ON DISABILITY AND HOW THOSE LIVING WITH DISABILITY VIEW THEMSELVES, ARE CARED FOR, AND INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.JONI'S HOUSE PROGRAMMING CARES FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THOSE LIVING WITH DISABILITY WHILE ALSO PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY UNIT. SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL REHABILITATION AND THERAPY, JOB TRAINING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT AWARENESS TRAINING, RELIEF DISTRIBUTION, AND AN ANNUAL RETREAT FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DISABILITY. JONI'S HOUSE PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OPERATE IN EL SALVADOR, BRAZIL, ASIA, THAILAND, ROMANIA, NEPAL, UGANDA, NICARAGUA, AND GUATEMALA.
- $2.7 million spent. THE JONI EARECKSON TADA DISABILITY RESEARCH CENTER EXISTS TO IMPACT THE CHURCH, CHRISTIAN AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, AND SOCIETIES WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW AND LIFE-GIVING TRUTH ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO LIFE, DIGNITY, JUSTICE, AND EQUALITY THAT IMPACT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE CENTER ACCOMPLISHES THIS PURPOSE THROUGH THREE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES. FIRST, THE CENTER CREATES HIGH-QUALITY, ENGAGING COURSES THAT ARE FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO HONE THE GIFTS OF ALL GOD'S PEOPLE WITHIN THE CHURCH FOR EFFECTIVE DISABILITY MINISTRY. SECOND, THROUGH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ARE EQUIPPED TO BECOME LEADERS IN DISABILITY MINISTRY TO TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE GOSPEL, IMPACT THEIR CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES FOR CHRIST, AND ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND EQUALITY FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY DISABILITY. INTERNSHIPS PARTNERS WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO OFFER SHORT-TERM GLOBAL MISSIONS' TRIPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND RESPITE OPPORTUNITIES, ALL OF WHICH PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TO STUDENTS. THIRD, THE CENTER PUBLISHES BIBLICALLY INFORMED RESOURCES AND RESEARCH TO ENCOURAGE AND TRAIN CHRISTIANS FOR DISABILITY MINISTRY. THIS INCLUDES BOOKS AS WELL AS ARTICLES ON TIMELY TOPICS RELATED TO THEOLOGY, BIOETHICS, AND DISABILITY MINISTRY.
- $1.3 million spent. RADIO: THE JONI AND FRIENDS RADIO MINISTRY FEATURES INSPIRATIONAL AUDIO PROGRAMMING ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS WITH A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE. THE RADIO MINISTRY FEATURES TWO DAILY PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE FOUNDER/CEO: A FOUR-MINUTE BROADCAST, AND A ONE-MINUTE BROADCAST. THESE PROGRAMS ARE CARRIED ON OVER 1,700 OUTLETS ACROSS THE U.S., AIRING 2,969 TIMES DAILY, AND HEARD BY OVER ONE MILLION LISTENERS A WEEK. TRANSLATED INTO SIX LANGUAGES, THE PROGRAMS AIR IN 55 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON PODCAST PLATFORMS, EXTENDING THE REACH OF THESE IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF HOPE THROUGH HARDSHIP. THE PROGRAM BENEFITS GREATLY FROM THE AIRTIME VALUE CONTRIBUTED BY OUR RADIO PARTNERS, $10.5MM IN 2024, THAT IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE 990 FINANCIALS.PODCASTS: THE JONI AND FRIENDS MINISTRY PODCAST IS DOWNLOADABLE ON ALL PODCAST NETWORKS. THIS PODCAST HAD 98,046 EPISODE DOWNLOADS IN 2024. WE'RE ANSWERING REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT DISABILITY AND SHARING HOPE THROUGH HARDSHIP. WHETHER YOU ARE PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY DISABILITY OR YOU'RE LOOKING FOR PRACTICAL WAYS TO INCLUDE SOMEONE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN YOUR CHURCH, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! THE MATERIALS SHARE HOPE THROUGH HARDSHIP AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WORLDWIDE THROUGH THE DIGITAL PODCAST NETWORKS. EACH EPISODE PROVIDES HONEST STORIES OF HOPE, PRACTICAL ADVICE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT. THEY RANGE FROM 20-60 MINUTES LONG AND INCLUDE INTERVIEWS WITH GUESTS WHO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND HOW CHRIST HAS USED THEM IN THEIR WEAKNESS.
- $579,745 spent. THE RESPONSE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES ON AVERAGE 1,000 EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES, SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS, PHONE CALLS, AND LETTERS EACH MONTH FROM PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO NEED THE HOPE OF CHRIST AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE. IN 2024 WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 12,660 COMMUNICATIONS FROM 108 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. AFTER MORE THAN FORTY-SIX YEARS, WITH HEARTS TO HELP AND A PERSONAL TOUCH, THE RESPONSE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, SHARE GUIDANCE FROM GOD'S WORD, AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CONNECT THOSE IN NEED WITH CHRIST-HONORING, DISABILITY-FRIENDLY CHURCHES.
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 2025.
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 March 1980.
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.