River Radio Ministries / One Connection Media Group 
The information on this page was last updated 9/17/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We believe music can bring people hope. Some days, you might play The River for some nice background music. Some days, you'll play it so your kids don't hear anything inappropriate. But some days, you listen because life has knocked you down, and you need help getting back up. We're here for all of them.
Uplifting and Encouraging® 104.9 the River gets to pour life-giving Christian music into the community, thanks to generous donations and local businesses. We're a licensed radio station in Columbus, OH, whose mission extends far beyond.
We realize that spreading the gospel shouldn't stop with music. You'll see The River out and about at community events and concerts, loving on people and connecting them to resources.
Life is CRAZY, right? We've developed content and DJ's you can relate to. You can laugh with Mornings with Mary & Josh or be inspired by a video on Facebook. Plus, it's content that's safe for even the littlest ears in your family.
Contact information
Mailing address:
River Radio Ministries
881 E. Johnstown Road
Columbus, OH 43230
Website: riverradio.com
Phone: 614-289-5700
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 316068737
CEO/President: Bill Montgomery
Chairman: Roy Hall
Board size: 10
Founder:
Ruling year: 1967
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
River Radio Ministries (RRM) is the parent company of 104.9 the River (Columbus), 89.3 the River (in Newark & Chillicothe), 90.9 the River (Lancaster) and LoveCbus. Founded in 1965, its mission is built around connecting others to Jesus and each other. Then, together, making a difference in the community. While the story started with a radio station, the RRM Team noticed a need to connect people to more music and more help. From there it's been a growing phase, and it hasn't stopped.
Mission statement
Our mission is to introduce as many people as possible to Jesus through music and service.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Radio/ TV Stations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1064 of 1435 | 24 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1370 of 1435 | 30 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1300 of 1435 | 28 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 71 of 1436 | 5 of 33 |
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 33% | 30% | 27% | 23% | 26% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 4% | 14% | 14% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 77% | 41% | 46% | 49% | 54% | 50% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 14% | 13% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 23% | 59% | 54% | 51% | 46% | 50% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 79% | 69% | 70% | 64% | 69% | 72% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 111% | 102% | 108% | 89% | 99% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 73% | 76% | 71% | 69% | 62% | 71% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | -11% | -2% | -8% | 11% | 1% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -10% | -1% | -5% | 7% | 1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 16% | 19% | 17% | 24% | 17% | 15% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.37 | 0.79 | 0.61 | 0.62 | 0.59 | 0.59 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.16 | 7.47 | 1.89 | 1.74 | 1.63 | 1.93 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 0.92 | 5.89 | 1.15 | 1.08 | 0.96 | 1.14 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 17.46 | 4.26 | 15.45 | 31.60 | 41.51 | 34.43 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.23 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 12.44 | 1.56 | 9.73 | 10.76 | 12.15 | 10.20 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 21% | 12% | 11% | 1% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 186% | 100% | 145% | 144% | 167% | 166% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $350,193 | $2,920,011 | $1,925,295 | $1,608,909 | $1,114,261 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $537,525 | $540,320 | $412,330 | $753,660 | $462,287 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $1,480,920 | $1,699,357 | $1,580,196 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $887,718 | $3,460,331 | $3,818,545 | $4,061,926 | $3,156,744 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $2,254,854 | $1,611,918 | $1,636,428 | $1,651,509 | $1,813,545 |
| Other long-term assets | $3,492,180 | $1,474,915 | $1,189,052 | $916,820 | $1,113,623 |
| Total long-term assets | $5,747,034 | $3,086,833 | $2,825,480 | $2,568,329 | $2,927,168 |
| Total assets | $6,634,752 | $6,547,164 | $6,644,025 | $6,630,255 | $6,083,912 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $208,363 | $223,914 | $120,837 | $97,857 | $91,692 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $208,363 | $223,914 | $120,837 | $97,857 | $91,692 |
| Debt | $682,493 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $493,892 | $543,123 | $580,611 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,176,385 | $543,123 | $580,611 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $1,384,748 | $767,037 | $701,448 | $97,857 | $91,692 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $5,182,504 | $5,780,127 | $5,942,577 | $6,532,398 | $5,992,220 |
| With donor restrictions | $67,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $5,250,004 | $5,780,127 | $5,942,577 | $6,532,398 | $5,992,220 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $1,950,652 | $1,811,927 | $1,875,151 | $2,393,127 | $1,815,896 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $21,846 | $82,669 | $59,045 | $89,681 | $70,841 |
| Other revenue | $2,728,779 | $2,016,131 | $1,889,690 | $1,910,831 | $1,752,721 |
| Total other revenue | $2,750,625 | $2,098,800 | $1,948,735 | $2,000,512 | $1,823,562 |
| Total revenue | $4,701,277 | $3,910,727 | $3,823,886 | $4,393,639 | $3,639,458 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $3,594,339 | $2,777,246 | $2,640,596 | $2,717,258 | $2,582,887 |
| Management and general | $997,129 | $676,542 | $982,333 | $646,295 | $558,505 |
| Fundraising | $639,932 | $537,018 | $501,327 | $551,392 | $465,583 |
| Total expenses | $5,231,400 | $3,990,806 | $4,124,256 | $3,914,945 | $3,606,975 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($530,123) | ($80,079) | ($300,370) | $478,694 | $32,483 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($530,123) | ($80,079) | ($300,370) | $478,694 | $32,483 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Bill Montgomery | President | $203,372 |
| Scott Thomson | CFO | $179,264 |
| Josh Hooper | CCO | $126,465 |
| Greg Baumer | Cso | $123,193 |
| Dave Stephens | COO | $123,140 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/17/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]