Donelson Christian Academy 
The information on this page was last updated 4/24/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Founded in 1971 and located in Nashville, Tennessee, Donelson Christian Academy is a Christian private school that serves students from preschool through twelfth grade.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Donelson Christian Academy
300 Danyacrest Dr.
Nashville, TN 37214
Website: www.dcawildcats.org
Phone: 615-883-2926
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 620854263
CEO/President: Keith Singer
Chairman: Greg May
Board size: 17
Founder:
Ruling year: 1972
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 05/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Teaching students to understand the world from a Biblical perspective is at the heart of Donelson Christian Academy's philosophy of education. The ultimate goal is for each student to first know and understand a Biblical worldview and then to believe and apply this worldview in their own lives.
Mission statement
The mission of Donelson Christian Academy is to serve Christ by assisting parents in providing students with a challenging, college-preparatory education taught from a nondenominational biblical worldview that develops the whole person into a Christlike leader in the home, church, and community.
Statement of faith
The foundation of the Academy shall be the Word of God as interpreted by the following statements of faith.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16)
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (I John 5:4-6)
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (I Corinthians. 13:3, I Peter 2:21-24, John 3:1)
We believe that for salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (Romans 3:21, Galatians 4:4-7)
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life. (Galatians 5:22-25)
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life; and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:24, 28, 29)
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 17:21-23)
We believe in the God-given value of human beings as unique image-bearers of God who are created male and female by Him. These two distinct complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God and we live consistently with the sex and gender God has given. (Genesis 1: 26-27, Psalm 139: 13-14, Matthew 19:4-6)
We believe in the Biblical model of marriage as a covenantal relationship created by God for a man and a woman. Sexual intimacy is a gift from God and has its proper place only within the context of marriage. (Genesis 2: 22-24, Matthew 19: 4-6, Romans 1: 21-27, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, 18, Ephesians 5: 31-32, Hebrews 13:4)
Articles
| 6/26/2026 | AbleLight Jumps into 'Give With Confidence' Rating |
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
D
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: K-12 Schools/Academies
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 217 of 1420 | 28 of 183 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 373 of 1420 | 73 of 183 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 515 of 1420 | 75 of 183 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 347 of 1421 | 36 of 183 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $674,528 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 5% | 7% | 4% | 15% | 5% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 13% | 9% | 9% | 18% | 8% | 22% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 87% | 91% | 91% | 82% | 92% | 78% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 84% | 83% | 90% | 93% | 85% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 103% | 96% | 99% | 95% | 73% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 75% | 87% | 80% | 90% | 88% | 62% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | -3% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 27% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | -3% | 4% | 0% | 4% | 26% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 15% | 16% | 9% | 6% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 0.70 | 0.61 | 0.55 | 0.48 | 0.51 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.06 | 7.91 | 11.03 | 13.44 | 20.05 | 3.87 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.80 | 5.53 | 6.77 | 7.39 | 9.72 | 1.97 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 2.80 | 2.63 | 2.09 | 1.48 | 0.96 | 3.99 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.48 | 0.68 | 1.04 | 0.25 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.98 | 1.34 | 0.92 | 0.53 | -0.06 | 4.55 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 29% | 32% | 30% | 36% | 34% | 28% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 26% | 25% | 30% | 28% | 21% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 118% | 98% | 114% | 116% | 137% | 142% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $2,511,370 | $1,824,414 | $1,465,421 | $1,031,404 | $5,129,136 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $496,562 | $337,987 | $409,303 | $173,132 | $369,219 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,007,932 | $2,162,401 | $1,874,724 | $1,204,536 | $5,498,355 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $20,051,555 | $21,682,974 | $9,531,420 | $10,878,328 | $7,576,026 |
| Other long-term assets | $726,829 | $0 | $13,785,946 | $12,067,146 | $8,208,383 |
| Total long-term assets | $20,778,384 | $21,682,974 | $23,317,366 | $22,945,474 | $15,784,409 |
| Total assets | $23,786,316 | $23,845,375 | $25,192,090 | $24,150,010 | $21,282,764 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $997,568 | $843,869 | $1,020,816 | $1,147,305 | $1,177,050 |
| Other current liabilities | $146,327 | $190,863 | $245,775 | $111,175 | $202,332 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,143,895 | $1,034,732 | $1,266,591 | $1,258,480 | $1,379,382 |
| Debt | $6,101,660 | $6,003,148 | $7,589,390 | $6,834,907 | $4,480,861 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $300,000 | $76,000 | $209,228 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $6,401,660 | $6,079,148 | $7,798,618 | $6,834,907 | $4,480,861 |
| Total liabilities | $7,545,555 | $7,113,880 | $9,065,209 | $8,093,387 | $5,860,243 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $14,792,437 | $15,911,047 | $16,106,684 | $15,882,675 | $13,046,885 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,448,324 | $820,448 | $20,197 | $173,948 | $2,375,636 |
| Net assets | $16,240,761 | $16,731,495 | $16,126,881 | $16,056,623 | $15,422,521 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $1,524,338 | $1,361,680 | $2,490,502 | $998,912 | $3,302,087 |
| Program service revenue | $14,376,994 | $13,218,372 | $11,166,014 | $9,041,501 | $8,410,690 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $168,009 | $3,909 | $3,331 | $1,697 | $1,743 |
| Other revenue | $74,566 | $669,171 | $257,985 | $2,303,554 | $3,218,587 |
| Total other revenue | $14,619,569 | $13,891,452 | $11,427,330 | $11,346,752 | $11,631,020 |
| Total revenue | $16,143,907 | $15,253,132 | $13,917,832 | $12,345,664 | $14,933,107 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $14,046,799 | $12,141,227 | $12,494,567 | $10,876,773 | $9,269,789 |
| Management and general | $2,512,803 | $2,408,477 | $1,246,648 | $684,755 | $1,432,602 |
| Fundraising | $75,039 | $98,814 | $106,359 | $150,034 | $155,606 |
| Total expenses | $16,634,641 | $14,648,518 | $13,847,574 | $11,711,562 | $10,857,997 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($490,734) | $604,614 | $70,258 | $634,102 | $4,075,110 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($490,734) | $604,614 | $70,258 | $634,102 | $4,075,110 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Keith Singer | Headmaster | $178,199 |
| Jack Matheson | Director of | $122,359 |
| Dennis Goodwin | Athletic Dir | $119,556 |
| Brian Case | Principal | $113,754 |
Compensation data as of: 5/31/2025
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 4/24/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Founded in 1971 and located in Nashville, Tennessee, Donelson Christian Academy is a Christian private school that serves students from preschool through twelfth grade. Since its inception, DCA has endured two floods and a tornado that partially destroyed the school. Students, parents, faculty, alumni, and other volunteers worked day and night to clean debris from the school after every natural disaster DCA has faced. For five decades DCA has carried that strong tradition of community.
The community DCA desires is one of close, partnering relationships so that parents and teachers are working in unison to support students as they achieve the highest potential academic success and spiritual growth.
A key differentiator for DCA is a genuine sense of community. The school community places great emphasis on the nurturing and education of students, by sincerely caring for all family members. These community relationships form to challenge young people to excel in all areas of their educational experience. DCA parents are a true distinctive. Parents are engaged, supportive, and hard working contributors to the school.
DCA is excited to celebrate 50 years of developing Christ-like leaders.
"Once a wildcat, always a wildcat!"