Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship / CHIEF 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/23/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship ("CHIEF") is a ministry to the 51.1 million Native Americans in the 1,200 tribes of the Western Hemisphere. CHIEF's primary motivation is to take the Gospel to every Native tribe in this generation. According to CHIEF, the discipleship, mentoring, and training of Native leaders in a relevant cultural context is the key to effective church growth and on-going evangelism among Native peoples.
CHIEF's strategies to accomplish its Ministry Objectives are as follows:
1.) Discipleship - Recruiting, encouraging, and discipling Native Christian pastors, church leaders, and believers, by providing training uniquely suited for the ongoing needs of the indigenous church.
2.) Evangelism - Assisting the leadership of the local Native churches with evangelism outreach in their own communities and beyond to other unreached peoples and tribes.
3.) Helps - Giving practical assistance, in the context of God's love through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, through which concerned individuals can respond to the physical needs of Native people to help them become self-reliant.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship
1644 East Campo Bello Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85022-2108
Website: www.chief.org
Phone: (602) 482-0828
Email: info@chief.org
Organization details
EIN: 510168112
CEO/President: Rev. Huron Claus
Chairman: Arlan Melendez
Board size: 13
Founder: Mr. Tom Claus
Ruling year: 1975
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1982
Purpose
CHIEF's motivation vision is to see an effective Christian witness in every Native American tribe and all related tribes in this generation.
Mission statement
Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship describes its mission as follows:
The mission and purpose of CHIEF is to disciple and equip a strong Native American leadership for the development of the indigenous church throughout North, Central and South America.
Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship describes its vision as follows:
CHIEF's motivating vision is to see an effective Christian witness in every Native American tribe and all related tribes in this generation.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Evangelism
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 750 of 1022 | 26 of 42 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 55 of 1024 | 3 of 42 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 936 of 1024 | 39 of 42 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 937 of 1022 | 36 of 42 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 97% | 98% | 97% | 97% | 98% | 97% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 3% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 66% | 82% | 87% | 80% | 78% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 92% | 80% | 81% | 72% | 98% | 103% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 73% | 53% | 66% | 63% | 78% | 80% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 8% | 20% | 19% | 28% | 2% | -3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 10% | 12% | 12% | 30% | 3% | -4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 34% | 18% | 13% | 20% | 22% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.06 | 0.47 | 0.48 | 0.69 | 0.74 | 0.98 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.49 | 3.24 | 4.02 | 5.38 | 6.83 | 8.41 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.08 | 1.51 | 1.93 | 3.71 | 5.03 | 8.24 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 6.87 | 60.91 | 5.29 | 1.93 | 0.70 | 0.67 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.02 | 0.19 | 0.52 | 1.43 | 1.49 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.21 | 7.79 | 5.05 | 1.56 | -1.03 | -0.71 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 16% | 1% | 5% | 10% | 35% | 36% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 14% | 18% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 70% | 213% | 199% | 131% | 89% | 66% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $149,754 | $99,955 | $84,410 | $58,218 | $42,146 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $46,848 | $44,036 | $24,158 | $24,925 | $24,640 |
| Short-term investments | $13,898 | $12,433 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $210,500 | $156,424 | $108,568 | $83,143 | $66,786 |
| Long-term investments | $17,596 | $17,596 | $17,596 | $17,596 | $17,596 |
| Fixed assets | $453,637 | $454,192 | $456,182 | $464,855 | $475,573 |
| Other long-term assets | $430 | $1,200 | $1,989 | $1,989 | $1,989 |
| Total long-term assets | $471,663 | $472,988 | $475,767 | $484,440 | $495,158 |
| Total assets | $682,163 | $629,412 | $584,335 | $567,583 | $561,944 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,456 | $29,589 | $55,113 | $117,984 | $99,381 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $1,102 | $1,102 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,456 | $29,589 | $56,215 | $119,086 | $99,381 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $76,991 | $101,587 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $76,991 | $101,587 |
| Total liabilities | $3,456 | $29,589 | $56,215 | $196,077 | $200,968 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $580,904 | $510,185 | $425,038 | $280,540 | $291,877 |
| With donor restrictions | $97,803 | $89,638 | $103,082 | $90,966 | $69,099 |
| Net assets | $678,707 | $599,823 | $528,120 | $371,506 | $360,976 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $391,112 | $361,185 | $541,636 | $420,416 | $522,189 |
| Program service revenue | $3,145 | $4,400 | $8,883 | $4,734 | $10,062 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $2,309 | $2,891 | $5,608 | $169 | $180 |
| Other revenue | $1,052 | $4,748 | $3,427 | $3,514 | $3,793 |
| Total other revenue | $6,506 | $12,039 | $17,918 | $8,417 | $14,035 |
| Total revenue | $397,618 | $373,224 | $559,554 | $428,833 | $536,224 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $211,862 | $247,136 | $350,895 | $332,746 | $429,923 |
| Management and general | $106,872 | $54,385 | $52,045 | $85,557 | $120,419 |
| Fundraising | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total expenses | $318,734 | $301,521 | $402,940 | $418,303 | $550,342 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $78,884 | $71,703 | $156,614 | $10,530 | ($14,118) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $78,884 | $71,703 | $156,614 | $10,530 | ($14,118) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Huron Claus | President | $100,024 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2020
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 8/23/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
CHIEF began in March of 1975, when Tom Claus (Founder and President Emeritus) called together more than 100 Christian Native leaders, from different areas of the hemisphere to participate in the Conference on Christian Indian Leadership and Evangelism held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Native delegates came from across North, Central and South America representing mission agencies, denominations, schools, colleges, tribes and government agencies. The primary objectives to come out of the conference were:
1) To develop a strong and growing Christian lay leadership within the tribal communities.
2) To provide fellowship for evangelical Native Christians, and a strong Native voice to the whole church on issues which concern Native peoples of the Americas.
3) To conduct an international Native congress on evangelism and Christian leadership with Native pastors, evangelists, and Christian educators from the entire western hemisphere.
4) To encourage qualified Native young people to go on to higher education as a preparation for Christian service.
5) To create pride in Native identity and in the ability and leadership potential of Native peoples.
6) To acquaint the church at large with these programs and the organizations that are making a distinctive evangelical contribution to Native communities and churches in order to mobilize the church to a greater degree of effective evangelism and reconciliation.
By the end of the conference, the consensus of the delegates was to target and respond to the areas of greatest need. First, to disciple and develop a strong Native leadership for the continued growth of the indigenous church. Then, to encourage the local churches to send out their own people to evangelize every tribe and nation.
With this mandate and vision, CHIEF was formed and organized by the conference delegates. For the past twenty-five years, CHIEF has provided discipleship training, evangelism outreach, and a practical helps ministry for approximately 300 tribes in the Americas and Mongolia.