Kanakuk Ministries 
The information on this page was last updated 5/1/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Since 1926, Kanakuk has been the Christian summer camp for over 450,000 youth. As a world leader among Christian summer camps, Joe White and his committed Kanakuk staff provide children with fun, safe and professional outdoor youth camping experiences that grow them spiritually, physically, emotionally, and socially.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Kanakuk Ministries
1353 Lake Shore Dr
Branson, MO 65616
Website: kanakuk.com
Phone: 417-266-3000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 431815310
CEO/President: Joe White
Chairman:
Board size: 0
Founder: C.L. Ford
Ruling year: 2015
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 08/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
At Kanakuk we live I'm Third-God First. Others Second. I'm Third. This foundational principle is integrated into each of our Kamp's programming, equipping Kampers to be Christ-like examples who lead with responsibility and care.
Mission statement
Equipping Next Generation Leaders is more than our mission, it is our heartbeat. Since 1926, Kanakuk has welcomed over 450,000 Kampers from across the country and around the world, equipping them with leadership skills and Biblical truths to impact their schools and communities as examples of Jesus Christ.
Statement of faith
We believe the one true God has revealed Himself the eternally self-existent "I AM," the creator of Heaven and Earth. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10-11
We believe that Jesus Christ is the "Image of the invisible God" and that in Him "all deity dwells in bodily form." We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross as the atonement for sin, His literal bodily resurrection from the dead, His present ministry of intercession in Heaven, and His personal future return to the earth. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and His Kingdom will have no end. John 1:1,14,18; Heb.1:1-9; Luke 1:35, Colossians 1:15-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:18
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and regenerates, indwells, seals, sets apart, and empowers believers for service and for holy living and a holy life. We believe God bestows spiritual gifts on each believer. We believe that "God is at work within us both to will and work to His good pleasure" and that "He will continue to perfect us until the day of Christ Jesus." John 14:16; John 16:7-11, Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 1:13; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12,13; Ephesians 4:1-16,30
We believe in the unity and trinity of the Godhead existing in three persons: The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. These three persons are One God having the same nature, attributes, and perfection.
Genesis 1:1, 26, John 1:14, 10:30,15:26, 17:21; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6
We believe that man was created in the image of God but was separated from God by sin and shall be judged; and that only through the Blood of Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:22, Romans 2:2-5, 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:1, 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:27
We believe that salvation comes through God's transforming grace alone. God's offer of grace for us is completely free and is merited for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son. This grace is available to all who believe in Jesus. By grace we are brought from death to life and into the family of God. God's grace cleanses us of all our sin and transforms us in the image of Christ Jesus who is Lord over all. Mark 16:16; John 1:12, 5:24; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:22, 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:1
We believe both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible to be the infallible Holy Word of God, inspired in every part by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the revelation of God for the equipping of man and is authoritative for all matters of faith and life. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:19-21
The Church is the people of God gathered for worship, holiness, service and mission. It is the body of Christ and derives its life, direction, and power from Jesus Christ its head.
Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19; Galatians 5:24-25; Acts 1:8; Acts 22:15; Ephesians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:2; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:18; 14:19, 28, 34-35 Phil 3:6.
We believe that Christians are called to a life of service to Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are to take the gospel message to the whole world and equip believers to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Peter 1:3; Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:24-25; Mark 16:15; Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Camps/Conference Centers
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 362 of 1118 | 13 of 36 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 589 of 1119 | 18 of 37 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 728 of 1119 | 27 of 37 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 45 of 1118 | 4 of 36 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 7% | 7% | 4% | 8% | 12% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 36% | 23% | 21% | 28% | 30% | 16% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 64% | 77% | 79% | 72% | 70% | 84% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 78% | 72% | 77% | 77% | 77% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 102% | 93% | 81% | 125% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 75% | 80% | 67% | 63% | 96% | 73% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | -2% | 7% | 19% | -25% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | -2% | 6% | 18% | -18% | 4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 21% | 27% | 21% | 21% | 21% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.35 | 0.72 | 0.72 | 0.68 | 0.68 | 0.69 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.86 | 15.76 | 10.72 | 7.69 | 16.20 | 21.32 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.51 | 11.33 | 7.67 | 5.26 | 10.96 | 14.77 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 5.08 | 0.57 | 0.82 | 1.14 | 0.43 | 0.50 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.20 | 1.76 | 1.21 | 0.87 | 2.33 | 2.01 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.90 | -0.81 | -0.34 | 0.29 | -1.46 | -0.82 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 21% | 12% | 11% | 23% | 9% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 9% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 214% | 110% | 123% | 130% | 113% | 131% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $1,993,588 | $3,386,733 | $4,652,728 | $1,318,440 | $751,246 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,168,792 | $974,295 | $1,088,348 | $1,184,105 | $1,095,854 |
| Short-term investments | $250,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,412,380 | $4,611,028 | $5,991,076 | $2,702,545 | $2,047,100 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $45,294,242 | $44,824,915 | $40,096,500 | $41,087,711 | $41,596,080 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,059,906 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $50,354,148 | $44,824,915 | $40,096,500 | $41,087,711 | $41,596,080 |
| Total assets | $53,766,528 | $49,435,943 | $46,087,576 | $43,790,256 | $43,643,180 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $2,797,444 | $2,206,244 | $1,285,409 | $1,384,103 | $1,682,081 |
| Other current liabilities | $3,218,051 | $3,396,130 | $3,949,859 | $4,924,046 | $2,428,474 |
| Total current liabilities | $6,015,495 | $5,602,374 | $5,235,268 | $6,308,149 | $4,110,555 |
| Debt | $383,878 | $394,698 | $0 | $3,920,042 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $4,832,848 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $5,216,726 | $394,698 | $0 | $3,920,042 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $11,232,221 | $5,997,072 | $5,235,268 | $10,228,191 | $4,110,555 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $40,910,491 | $42,850,106 | $40,531,101 | $33,136,566 | $39,136,432 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,623,816 | $588,765 | $321,207 | $425,499 | $396,193 |
| Net assets | $42,534,307 | $43,438,871 | $40,852,308 | $33,562,065 | $39,532,625 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $8,658,723 | $8,029,574 | $10,706,318 | $7,018,828 | $5,021,689 |
| Program service revenue | $29,442,751 | $29,562,767 | $27,750,084 | $17,274,324 | $25,607,046 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($723,333) | $53,786 | ($59,305) | ($971,823) | $467,891 |
| Other revenue | $376,784 | $326,934 | $414,897 | $338,890 | $554,222 |
| Total other revenue | $29,096,202 | $29,943,487 | $28,105,676 | $16,641,391 | $26,629,159 |
| Total revenue | $37,754,925 | $37,973,061 | $38,811,994 | $23,660,219 | $31,650,848 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $30,060,348 | $25,475,513 | $24,292,314 | $22,813,756 | $23,142,603 |
| Management and general | $8,023,812 | $9,385,571 | $6,756,539 | $6,277,327 | $6,467,195 |
| Fundraising | $575,329 | $525,414 | $472,898 | $539,696 | $627,224 |
| Total expenses | $38,659,489 | $35,386,498 | $31,521,751 | $29,630,779 | $30,237,022 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($904,564) | $2,586,563 | $7,290,243 | ($5,970,560) | $1,413,826 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($904,564) | $2,586,563 | $7,290,243 | ($5,970,560) | $1,413,826 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Doug Goodwin | President | $293,557 |
| John Jensen | CBO/Secretary | $240,384 |
| Mark Webster | Director of Development | $178,474 |
| Bruce Koerber | Controller/Treasurer | $160,301 |
| Debbie-Jo White | Vice President/Vice Chairman | $150,368 |
| Lyle Quiring | Director of Technology Services | $123,451 |
| Tamera Smith | Director of Finance/Asst Treasurer | $103,611 |
| Joe White | CEO/Chairman | $43,022 |
Compensation data as of: 8/31/2023
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 5/1/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Countless families have sent their children to Kanakuk to allow them the opportunity to grow in faith, confidence, and Christian character. Over the decades, we've seen entire families transformed.
Program accomplishments
Needs
Your generosity enables us to "Evangelize and equip the next generation to reach the world for Christ!" A donation to the General Fund allows Kanakuk the flexibility to meet emerging needs and challenges for the ministry. These unrestricted gifts are used in the current operating year, providing discretionary funds to be allocated where they are most needed.