The Seed Company 
The information on this page was last updated 1/31/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We accelerate the work of Bible translation by connecting local field partners around the world with investors, resources, and training.
Through these global partnerships, God's people are being equipped to reach communities still waiting for Scripture in the languages they understand best.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Seed Company
220 Westway Pl
Ste 100
Arlington, TX 76018
Website: seedcompany.com
Phone: 817-557-2121
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 330838929
CEO/President: Larry Jones
Chairman: Matthew Mancinelli
Board size: 10
Founder: Bernie May
Ruling year: 1999
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end:
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
God's Word transforming lives in every language in this generation.
At Seed Company we are passionate about accelerating the translation of God's Word in every heart language that needs it by 2025.
Mission statement
To accelerate Scripture translation and impact for people without God's Word through Great Commission partnerships.
Statement of faith
We believe the Bible, the inspired Word of God, is completely trustworthy, speaking with supreme authority in all matters of belief and practice.
We believe in one God, who exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
We believe all people, being created in the image of God, have intrinsic value, but as a result of sin are alienated from God and each other, and therefore in need of reconciliation.
We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, is fully God and fully human; He demonstrated God's love for sinners by suffering the penalty of death in their place, rose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven where He intercedes for His people.
We believe all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior are, by the grace of God, declared to be right with Him, receiving forgiveness and eternal life.
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally in glory, raise the dead, and judge the world.
We believe all people will rise from the dead, those who are in Christ to enjoy eternal life with God, and those who are lost to suffer eternal separation from Him.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who imparts new life to those who believe in Christ; through His indwelling presence and transforming power He gives assurance and equips believers for holy living and effective service.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, the fellowship of all believers, and is commissioned to make disciples of all nations.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Bible Translation Organizations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 810 of 1104 | 10 of 16 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 816 of 1105 | 12 of 16 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 616 of 1105 | 11 of 16 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 673 of 1104 | 7 of 16 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 10% | 17% | 15% | 12% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 10% | 16% | 15% | 12% | 14% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 99% | 99% | 98% | 98% | 97% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 11% | 14% | 15% | 13% | 22% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 81% | 80% | 77% | 75% | 64% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 85% | 119% | 99% | 93% | 61% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 69% | 95% | 76% | 70% | 39% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 15% | -19% | 1% | 7% | 39% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 11% | 21% | -31% | 2% | 10% | 39% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 12% | 14% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.96 | 1.06 | 1.72 | 1.40 | 1.14 | 0.60 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 1.09 | 1.22 | 1.21 | 1.15 | 1.02 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.92 | 1.16 | 2.10 | 1.69 | 1.32 | 0.61 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.04 | 26.21 | 13.91 | 18.45 | 34.40 | 39.06 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.49 | 9.99 | 5.31 | 6.73 | 8.82 | 19.30 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 15% | 10% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 3% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 80% | 85% | 53% | 66% | 82% | 164% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Cash | $27,738,498 | $10,367,372 | $8,630,222 | $7,154,121 | $17,452,450 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,091,661 | $1,975,122 | $1,915,629 | $2,021,843 | $41,006 |
| Short-term investments | $10,803,465 | $12,954,733 | $18,894,714 | $20,546,259 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $41,633,624 | $25,297,227 | $29,440,565 | $29,722,223 | $17,493,456 |
| Long-term investments | $1,197,385 | $1,197,385 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $1,873,118 | $3,554,598 | $5,195,562 | $4,052,359 | $60,175 |
| Other long-term assets | $553,192 | $764,572 | $902,025 | $542,723 | $225,714 |
| Total long-term assets | $3,623,695 | $5,516,555 | $6,097,587 | $4,595,082 | $285,889 |
| Total assets | $45,257,319 | $30,813,782 | $35,538,152 | $34,317,305 | $17,779,345 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,588,734 | $1,818,612 | $1,595,602 | $864,048 | $447,914 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,588,734 | $1,818,612 | $1,595,602 | $864,048 | $447,914 |
| Debt | $2,271,475 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $79,057 | $197,586 | $450,699 | $524,690 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $453,704 | $483,951 | $514,198 | $544,445 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $2,804,236 | $681,537 | $964,897 | $1,069,135 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $4,392,970 | $2,500,149 | $2,560,499 | $1,933,183 | $447,914 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Without donor restrictions | $15,187,803 | $9,185,914 | $12,893,948 | $12,596,264 | $5,999,171 |
| With donor restrictions | $25,676,546 | $19,127,719 | $20,083,705 | $19,787,858 | $11,332,260 |
| Net assets | $40,864,349 | $28,313,633 | $32,977,653 | $32,384,122 | $17,331,431 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Total contributions | $56,291,920 | $43,930,565 | $49,352,546 | $41,659,602 | $16,715,216 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $603,716 | $474,158 | $848,666 | $758,278 | $502,460 |
| Other revenue | ($83,195) | $9,414 | $64,133 | ($3,482) | $76,279 |
| Total other revenue | $520,521 | $483,572 | $912,799 | $754,796 | $578,739 |
| Total revenue | $56,812,441 | $44,414,137 | $50,265,345 | $42,414,398 | $17,293,955 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Program services | $39,210,423 | $42,299,964 | $38,148,946 | $29,571,755 | $6,737,004 |
| Management and general | $3,396,574 | $3,491,922 | $3,879,116 | $4,637,044 | $1,495,906 |
| Fundraising | $5,516,203 | $7,258,727 | $7,643,752 | $5,074,955 | $2,362,703 |
| Total expenses | $48,123,200 | $53,050,613 | $49,671,814 | $39,283,754 | $10,595,613 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2009 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $8,689,241 | ($8,636,476) | $593,531 | $3,130,644 | $6,698,342 |
| Other changes in net assets | $3,861,475 | $3,972,456 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $12,550,716 | ($4,664,020) | $593,531 | $3,130,644 | $6,698,342 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
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 1/31/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1991 - Wycliffe Bible Translators, Seed Company's parent organization, identifies the need to focus on national translators to gather the momentum of the global Bible translation movement.
1993 - Partners With Nationals-which would soon become Seed Company-begins with 10 projects funded by 10 financial partners.
1999 - Seed Company and the Jesus Film Project form the Luke Partnership to bring heart language Scripture to life on film.
2004 - A bold vision plan is approved to bring the total language engagements up to 1,000 in the next 10 years.
2014 - Seed Company begins its 1,000 language engagement. Seed Company helps form illumiNations, an alliance of Bible translation and resource partners working together to eradicate Bible poverty in this generation.
2015 - Seed Company's Bible translation principles-called the Common Framework-are more widely recognized and adopted by other Bible translation agencies to accelerate Bible translation.
2017 - Seed Company forms Avodah Labs, a nonprofit that harnesses artificial intelligence to accelerate Sign Language Bible translation.
2018 - 1,500th language engagement begins.
2021 - Seed Company starts its 1,800th language engagement.
Program accomplishments
1800+ Languages Engaged in Bible Translation
2 Billion People Reached with God's Word in Their Language
596 Local Interns Trained to Guide Translation and Outreach