Crown Financial Ministries 
The information on this page was last updated 1/22/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Crown Financial Ministries ("Crown") teaches God's principles of stewardship and trains others to do the same. With a foundation in financial stewardship, the ministry has expanded to encourage individuals, families, churches, businesses and even entire communities/nations to recognize we are all called to be His faithful stewards with everything we have, including our finances, careers, relationships, the environment in which we live, our businesses, and the Gospel. We reach people through our 1 and 2 minute radio programs, our online learning platform, small groups in churches, budget coaching, Career Direct, live training events, and through alliance partnerships all over the world.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Crown Financial Ministries
8351 E Walker Springs Lane
Suite 403
Knoxville, TN 37923
Website: www.crown.org
Phone: (800) 722-1976
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 581260812
CEO/President: Chuck Bentley
Chairman: Phil Clemens
Board size: 10
Founder: Larry Burkett (1976) & Howard Dayton (1985)
Ruling year: 1976
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 03/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1988
Purpose
Vision: To transform people and society through the principles and practices of God's economy.
Mission statement
To spread the principles and practices of God's economy throughout the world.
Statement of faith
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. It is without error in all its teaching.
We believe that there is one God, Lord of the universe, eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth; in His perfect, sinless life; in His miracles; in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood; in His bodily resurrection; in His ascension to heaven to the right hand of God the Father; and in His personal and visible return in power and glory.
We believe that all people are lost sinners and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe that all people will be resurrected - those who are saved to eternal life and those who are lost to eternal damnation.
We believe that God, as Creator, is the ultimate Owner of all possessions on earth. God has given people the authority to be stewards of those possessions and the responsibility to faithfully manage them according to the principles in the Word of God.
We believe God created humanity, male and female, reflecting the image and likeness of God. Each person's biological sex has been sovereignly appointed by God and is an irreversible aspect of his or her nature. The first human, Adam, sinned and thereby incurred the judgment of both physical death and spiritual death which is eternal separation from God. Therefore, all human beings, with the exception of Christ Jesus, are born with a fallen nature, are accountable for their sin, and need to be born again. Rejection of one's God-ordained biological sexuality reflects a rejection of God's plans and purposes. God has established and revealed in Scripture a divine order to regulate humanity. Human institutions reflecting that order are marriage of a man and a woman, family, and human government.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1069 of 1106 | 58 of 60 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1055 of 1107 | 56 of 60 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1099 of 1107 | 59 of 60 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 706 of 1106 | 38 of 60 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 19% | 13% | 11% | 16% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 15% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 11% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 81% | 80% | 85% | 88% | 77% | 78% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 16% | 15% | 14% | 12% | 11% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 19% | 20% | 15% | 12% | 23% | 22% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 51% | 52% | 45% | 59% | 64% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 93% | 76% | 70% | 101% | 99% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 47% | 39% | 31% | 59% | 63% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 7% | 24% | 30% | -1% | 1% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 7% | 28% | 43% | -3% | 2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 33% | 34% | 42% | 29% | 25% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.02 | 0.66 | 0.67 | 0.73 | 1.26 | 1.16 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.21 | 1.17 | 1.26 | 1.50 | 1.53 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 0.80 | 0.78 | 0.92 | 1.90 | 1.77 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.90 | 6.61 | 6.48 | 6.15 | 5.07 | 4.02 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.16 | 0.20 | 0.25 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.11 | 12.76 | 13.01 | 10.87 | 5.08 | 5.09 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 38% | 42% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 82% | 110% | 113% | 98% | 49% | 50% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $789,264 | $4,006,131 | $2,885,157 | $2,233,029 | $2,250,863 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $230,988 | $216,005 | $196,184 | $96,686 | $246,218 |
| Short-term investments | $5,251,321 | $1,710,618 | $1,120,938 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,271,573 | $5,932,754 | $4,202,279 | $2,329,715 | $2,497,081 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $22,607 | $32,072 | $45,578 | $28,618 | $36,898 |
| Other long-term assets | $1,288,864 | $983,176 | $1,040,485 | $1,139,876 | $1,276,802 |
| Total long-term assets | $1,311,471 | $1,015,248 | $1,086,063 | $1,168,494 | $1,313,700 |
| Total assets | $7,583,044 | $6,948,002 | $5,288,342 | $3,498,209 | $3,810,781 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $949,323 | $915,141 | $683,376 | $459,316 | $620,899 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $949,323 | $915,141 | $683,376 | $459,316 | $620,899 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,122,958 | $815,393 | $792,563 | $873,310 | $962,820 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,122,958 | $815,393 | $792,563 | $873,310 | $962,820 |
| Total liabilities | $2,072,281 | $1,730,534 | $1,475,939 | $1,332,626 | $1,583,719 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $4,956,212 | $4,618,644 | $3,505,898 | $1,833,033 | $1,963,352 |
| With donor restrictions | $554,551 | $598,824 | $306,505 | $332,550 | $263,710 |
| Net assets | $5,510,763 | $5,217,468 | $3,812,403 | $2,165,583 | $2,227,062 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $4,336,749 | $5,149,147 | $4,887,193 | $3,366,949 | $3,512,588 |
| Program service revenue | $396,700 | $327,903 | $24,994 | $412,641 | $369,377 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $76,711 | $42,893 | $95,420 | $2,959 | $4,698 |
| Other revenue | $595,687 | $557,591 | $523,269 | $578,116 | $592,014 |
| Total other revenue | $1,069,098 | $928,387 | $643,683 | $993,716 | $966,089 |
| Total revenue | $5,405,847 | $6,077,534 | $5,530,876 | $4,360,665 | $4,478,677 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $2,530,556 | $2,388,938 | $1,740,410 | $2,594,085 | $2,812,588 |
| Management and general | $1,654,776 | $1,556,156 | $1,619,095 | $1,304,351 | $1,117,102 |
| Fundraising | $818,083 | $683,382 | $525,439 | $523,708 | $493,385 |
| Total expenses | $5,003,415 | $4,628,476 | $3,884,944 | $4,422,144 | $4,423,075 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $402,432 | $1,449,058 | $1,645,932 | ($61,479) | $55,602 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $402,432 | $1,449,058 | $1,645,932 | ($61,479) | $55,602 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Chuck Bentley | CEO | $210,159 |
| Sheila Thompson | VP of Donor Relations | $138,921 |
| Handre DeJongh | VP - Pships & Global Dev | $134,264 |
| Tracey Fries | COO | $112,826 |
| Calvin Dillinger | Sr Director of Operations | $112,759 |
| Wayne Everbach | CFO | $85,320 |
Compensation data as of: 3/31/2023
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 1/22/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Larry Burkett formed Christian Financial Concepts (CFC), in 1976 as a ministry dedicated to teaching the biblical principles of handling money. In September 2000, CFC merged with Crown Ministries, creating a new organization, Crown Financial Ministries. Larry served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors until his passing.
Larry Burkett and Howard Dayton had been acquaintances for years and friends since the early 1990's. Concurrently, God had impressed both men with the need to expand into new areas for their respective ministries. After a radio interview, Larry felt the leading of the Lord to ask Howard about merging the two organizations together. After much study, discussion and lots of prayers both the boards agreed wholeheartedly to join hands.
Larry and Howard served as co-CEOs until May of 2001 and then Howard assumed the role of CEO. The two boards merged into one.
Following a long and courageous battle with cancer and heart disease, Larry Burkett completed his journey of serving the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. Having battled cancer and heart attacks for the past several years, God called Larry into His presence on July 4, 2003.
In 2007, after two years of prayerful consideration by Howard Dayton, Crown's Co-Founder and CEO, and the board of directors, they unanimously approved the appointment of Chuck Bentley as the successor to both Larry and Howard as Crown Financial Ministries' new CEO.
Chuck Bentley assumed full responsibility for the operations of the ministry and its global expansion. Chuck first experienced Crown's teaching in 2000 as a successful business owner in Dallas, Texas, and the direction of his life was entirely changed. He is passionate about people of all economic strata worldwide learning God's way of handling money and becoming a faithful stewards in all areas of their lives.
Chuck traveled the world teaching biblical financial principles to the affluent, middle class, poor and ultra-poor. Chuck continues as host of the daily national radio broadcast, My MoneyLife.
Crown's ministry now reaches around the world with staff on 5 continents, a media presence throughout North and South America, and books and materials serving the spiritual and financial needs of people in over 104 nations and 100 languages and counting!
Crown's outreach continues to impact individuals, families, churches, and businesses through the joyful, liberating biblical truth of making and managing money and stewarding the resources God provides, so that His purposes for one's life can be fulfilled.
Program accomplishments
Crown's stewardship teaching has equipped more than 50 million people in over 104 nations with the life-transforming message of faithfully living by God's financial principles in every area of their lives.
Crowns serves in four key areas:
- Personal Finance: Crown's mission began in the personal finance channel almost 40 years ago. Based on biblical principles, teaching was created and practical tools developed to train Christians what the Bible says about money. This teaching helps people to grow in Christ and understand His lordship in their life. At a practical level, the teaching helps individuals in all areas of personal finance, strengthens the church and advances the Great Commission.
- Career Outreach: Crown started a career outreach more than 15 years ago to help people better understand who they are and how they are created. Crown developed tools including Career and Personality assessments that will help individuals of all ages, marriages, and teams.
- Business Outreach: Crown started a business outreach more than 35 years ago teaching and supporting business leaders based upon biblical principles.
- Poverty: In the last 10 years, Crown expanded our reach to become more inclusive of the poor and ultra-poor worldwide through the delivery of our stewardship teaching and practical application tools. While some tools and applications are modified for the audience, the principles we teach are applicable to all people. We are equipping people with training tools to bring a real, long-term solution to poverty. We partner with other 501c3 organizations to help in these areas
Needs
As a nonprofit ministry, Crown is sustained through the prayerful support of God's people. Prayer is one of the most powerful ways you can help. We would like to invite you to become part of the family that prays with and for this ministry on a regular basis. Without the prayers of our ministry partners and friends, our work to grow faithful stewards would not be possible. You are a vital part of Crown's outreach and ministry!
Philemon 1:6: I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.