Music for Life Institute 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 3/11/2022. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
The African Children's Choir is composed of African children, aged 7 to 10 years old. The Choir is a program of a larger international organization called Music for Life, which provides thousands of impoverished children throughout Africa with the education, discipleship and leadership skills needed to rise above their conditions so they can bring positive, lasting change to their families, communities and countries.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Music for Life Institute
PO Box 29690
Bellingham, WA 98228
Website: www.africanchildrenschoir.com
Phone: (877) 532-8651
Email: info@africanchildrenschoir.com
Organization details
EIN: 311746269
CEO/President: Mr. Ray Barnett
Chairman: Mr. Ray Barnett
Board size: 4
Founder: Mr. Ray Barnett
Ruling year: 2001
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 03/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Rev. Ray Barnett returned from Africa to North America determined to rally support for the hurting children in Africa, but people simply could not fully comprehend their needs. Therefore, Ray decided to bring the African children home to show the North American people the needs of these children. In 1984, a team of volunteers traveled to Uganda to obtain permission from their government to bring 30 children back to North America.
Today, Music for Life Institute (MFLI) cares for hundreds of needy, homeless African Children in an atmosphere of Christian love. In addition, MFLI provides literacy schools for many children in the community that do not live in one of the Institute's homes.
Mission statement
Our mission is to help Africa's most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow. The children in the Choir represent the potential of the thousands of children in Africa who are trapped in the cycle of poverty.
Statement of faith
We believe:
The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy and the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
The one God, eternally existent Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Who created man by a direct, immediate act.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His ascension, His mediatory work, and His personal return in power and glory.
The salvation of lost and sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith apart from works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The unity in the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the body of Christ.
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.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 626 of 1022 | 54 of 85 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 548 of 1024 | 46 of 85 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 756 of 1024 | 66 of 85 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 438 of 1022 | 39 of 85 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 7% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 5% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 79% | 70% | 73% | 73% | 64% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 21% | 30% | 27% | 27% | 36% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 85% | 77% | 82% | 78% | 82% | 87% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 95% | 72% | 94% | 102% | 100% | 98% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 56% | 77% | 80% | 82% | 85% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 5% | 28% | 6% | -2% | 0% | 2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 12% | 73% | 41% | -25% | 4% | 18% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 15% | 15% | 18% | 15% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.62 | 1.85 | 4.58 | 7.58 | 7.08 | 6.39 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.25 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.02 | 1.06 | 1.08 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.36 | 1.86 | 4.65 | 7.76 | 7.47 | 6.91 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.90 | 31.33 | 3.24 | 2.45 | 2.72 | 3.24 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.37 | 0.31 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.15 | 6.24 | 1.79 | 0.91 | 1.02 | 1.20 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 3% | 30% | 40% | 35% | 29% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 51% | 52% | 15% | 8% | 9% | 11% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $1,228,870 | $359,839 | $267,841 | $298,400 | $319,619 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $186,735 | $162,494 | $84,066 | $96,599 | $17,751 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,415,605 | $522,333 | $351,907 | $394,999 | $337,370 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $7,470 | $7,477 | $8,434 | $12,049 | $17,213 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9,871 | $10,467 |
| Total long-term assets | $7,470 | $7,477 | $8,434 | $21,920 | $27,680 |
| Total assets | $1,423,075 | $529,810 | $360,341 | $416,919 | $365,050 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $44,179 | $110,635 | $126,775 | $130,443 | $104,171 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,000 | $50,500 | $17,000 | $14,750 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $45,179 | $161,135 | $143,775 | $145,193 | $104,171 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 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 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $45,179 | $161,135 | $143,775 | $145,193 | $104,171 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,342,526 | $286,800 | $216,566 | $271,726 | $260,879 |
| With donor restrictions | $35,370 | $81,875 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $1,377,896 | $368,675 | $216,566 | $271,726 | $260,879 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $2,898,551 | $1,807,359 | $1,957,553 | $2,155,110 | $1,514,922 |
| Program service revenue | $626,550 | $771,073 | $718,206 | $808,311 | $863,354 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $121,336 | $742 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $747,886 | $771,815 | $718,206 | $808,311 | $863,354 |
| Total revenue | $3,646,437 | $2,579,174 | $2,675,759 | $2,963,421 | $2,378,276 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $2,039,497 | $1,984,101 | $2,143,382 | $2,428,080 | $2,019,339 |
| Management and general | $401,047 | $357,833 | $503,423 | $457,129 | $305,587 |
| Fundraising | $196,672 | $85,131 | $84,114 | $67,365 | $6,501 |
| Total expenses | $2,637,216 | $2,427,065 | $2,730,919 | $2,952,574 | $2,331,427 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,009,221 | $152,109 | ($55,160) | $10,847 | $46,849 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,009,221 | $152,109 | ($55,160) | $10,847 | $46,849 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Raymond Barnett | Director | $67,598 |
| Suzanne Nelson | Vice President & Int'l Director | $63,988 |
Compensation data as of: 3/31/2020
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 3/11/2022. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
In 1984, in the midst of Uganda's bloody civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett was called on to help the many thousands of orphaned and starving children, abandoned and helpless to feed and protect themselves.
Realizing the enormity of the task Ray and his team came up with a unique approach. The only way to make a meaningful difference was to impact the lives of these children, one child at a time.
"Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children's Choir to show the world that Africa's most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability."
The first Choir was formed in 1984, selected from orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kampala and Luwero areas of Uganda. After the Choir was trained to perform and readied for living in new and different cultures, the children traveled from Uganda to tour amongst the North American Church communities.
They immediately impressed audiences with their vibrancy and outstanding musical talent. They quickly became a mouthpiece for the plight of the many thousands of vulnerable children like them in Uganda. The funds they earned through donations provided for their own support and education and more!
The proceeds of the first African Children's Choir tour also funded the building of an orphanage back in Kampala from which a second African Children's Choir was selected.
And so the story of the Choir's work began. In the early years, they would tour principally in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The proceeds of their tours, and the sponsorship support they would attract funded a growing program of establishing literacy schools to enable the very neediest children to get a foot up into proper education.
Meanwhile, the continuing care, education, and development of returning Choir children were assured through the proceeds of Choir tours and the generosity of sponsors and donors.
To date over a thousand vulnerable children have been through the Choir program and the funds they have generated have provided the opportunity of education and hope for many thousands like them in some of the most desperate and needy areas of Africa.