Focus on the Family 
The information on this page was last updated 12/4/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God's design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.
We're here to come alongside families with relevance and grace at each stage of their journey. We support families as they seek to teach their children about God and His beautiful design for the family, protect themselves from the harmful influences of culture and equip themselves to make a greater difference in the lives of those around them.
No matter who you are, what you're going through or what challenges your family may be facing, we're here to help. With practical resources - like our 1-800 Family Help line, counseling and websites - we're committed to providing trustworthy, biblical guidance and support.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051
Website: focusonthefamily.com
Phone: 1-800-232-6459
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 953188150
CEO/President: Mr. James D. Daly
Chairman: Greg King
Board size: 10
Founder: Dr. James Dobson
Ruling year: 1977
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1981
Purpose
Vision: Redeemed families worldwide through Christ.
Focus on the Family ("Focus") spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family. The primary means of accomplishing these goals are radio broadcasts, periodicals, books, films, videos and events which share the message with constituents, schools, churches and the public at large in the United States, as well as around the world. Focus was founded in 1977 by Dr. James Dobson.
Mission statement
To be led by the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible by nurturing and affirming the God-ordained institution of the family and proclaiming biblical truths worldwide.
Ultimately, we believe the purpose of life is to know and glorify God through an authentic relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. This purpose is lived out first within our own families then extended, in love, to an increasingly broken world that desperately needs Him. Through our radio broadcasts, websites, simulcasts, conferences, interactive forums, magazines, books, counseling and much more, Focus on the Family equips parents, children and spouses to thrive in an ever-changing, ever-more-complicated world. If you feel there is a specific way we can help your family, or if you'd simply like to know more about us, please browse our website or call us toll-free at 1-800-A-FAMILY.
Statement of faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. 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.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. 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.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Focus' faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is Focus' final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Educational Media
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 228 of 1104 | 10 of 47 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 583 of 1105 | 25 of 47 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 222 of 1105 | 12 of 47 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 284 of 1104 | 9 of 47 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 9% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 7% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 89% | 86% | 85% | 86% | 89% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 11% | 14% | 15% | 14% | 11% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 86% | 86% | 86% | 85% | 84% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 96% | 81% | 97% | 100% | 99% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 82% | 70% | 83% | 85% | 84% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 19% | 3% | 0% | 1% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 8% | 7% | 29% | 5% | 0% | 1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.76 | 1.18 | 1.06 | 1.34 | 1.37 | 1.37 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.48 | 2.03 | 1.99 | 2.67 | 3.04 | 4.38 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 2.39 | 2.11 | 3.60 | 4.16 | 6.00 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.90 | 3.50 | 3.33 | 1.98 | 2.21 | 1.51 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.51 | 0.45 | 0.66 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.49 | 3.59 | 3.98 | 1.65 | 1.58 | 0.68 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 16% | 17% | 22% | 19% | 19% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 107% | 71% | 78% | 58% | 59% | 59% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $40,532,814 | $40,745,205 | $17,137,301 | $16,467,382 | $9,781,218 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $7,078,600 | $6,980,066 | $7,063,899 | $4,346,596 | $4,699,052 |
| Short-term investments | $3,535,285 | $997,581 | $2,459,397 | $5,000 | $179,387 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $51,146,699 | $48,722,852 | $26,660,597 | $20,818,978 | $14,659,657 |
| Long-term investments | $8,236,975 | $12,147,029 | $9,833,919 | $5,371,934 | $4,994,712 |
| Fixed assets | $38,918,352 | $33,342,764 | $31,588,307 | $31,956,043 | $33,279,169 |
| Other long-term assets | $5,590,928 | $2,941,500 | $3,228,604 | $5,039,192 | $11,223,802 |
| Total long-term assets | $52,746,255 | $48,431,293 | $44,650,830 | $42,367,169 | $49,497,683 |
| Total assets | $103,892,954 | $97,154,145 | $71,311,427 | $63,186,147 | $64,157,340 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $9,767,316 | $9,624,448 | $8,349,543 | $6,926,158 | $7,122,247 |
| Other current liabilities | $4,860,841 | $4,991,017 | $5,128,806 | $2,483,087 | $2,556,498 |
| Total current liabilities | $14,628,157 | $14,615,465 | $13,478,349 | $9,409,245 | $9,678,745 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $2,249,882 | $2,213,386 | $2,422,975 | $2,548,839 | $2,658,938 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $2,249,882 | $2,213,386 | $2,422,975 | $2,548,839 | $2,658,938 |
| Total liabilities | $16,878,039 | $16,828,851 | $15,901,324 | $11,958,084 | $12,337,683 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Without donor restrictions | $74,302,496 | $62,997,612 | $42,007,583 | $49,882,168 | $49,987,020 |
| With donor restrictions | $12,712,419 | $17,327,682 | $13,402,520 | $1,345,895 | $1,832,637 |
| Net assets | $87,014,915 | $80,325,294 | $55,410,103 | $51,228,063 | $51,819,657 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $113,542,889 | $109,130,150 | $84,106,021 | $74,721,057 | $78,744,694 |
| Program service revenue | $7,385,183 | $6,241,942 | $3,994,484 | $2,300,889 | $1,046,290 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($2,042,181) | $846,985 | $125,388 | $587,361 | $679,191 |
| Other revenue | $9,002,986 | $10,289,927 | $10,332,640 | $8,933,099 | $7,989,130 |
| Total other revenue | $14,345,988 | $17,378,854 | $14,452,512 | $11,821,349 | $9,714,611 |
| Total revenue | $127,888,877 | $126,509,004 | $98,558,533 | $86,542,406 | $88,459,305 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $105,059,570 | $88,240,197 | $82,232,157 | $73,904,926 | $73,986,481 |
| Management and general | $8,038,632 | $7,255,842 | $7,293,459 | $6,335,049 | $7,176,725 |
| Fundraising | $9,089,249 | $7,392,989 | $6,387,644 | $6,368,076 | $6,816,661 |
| Total expenses | $122,187,451 | $102,889,028 | $95,913,260 | $86,608,051 | $87,979,867 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $5,701,426 | $23,619,976 | $2,645,273 | ($65,645) | $479,438 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $5,701,426 | $23,619,976 | $2,645,273 | ($65,645) | $479,438 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| James D Daly | President / CEO | $285,093 |
| Ken Windebank | Chief Operating Officer | $199,254 |
| Daniel R Mellema | Treasurer/CFO | $190,408 |
| Robert Wood | Chief Information Officer | $179,406 |
| Tim Goeglein | Vice President | $172,563 |
| Joel Vaughan | Chief Staff Officer | $171,056 |
| Michele Wilson | Vice President | $155,992 |
| Michael Pouw | Vice President | $150,915 |
| Kurt Leander | Vice President | $150,900 |
| Greg Smalley | Vice President | $145,857 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2015
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 12/4/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Focus On The Family began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson's increasing concern for the American family. A Ph.D. in child development (University of Southern California), he served 14 years as associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine and a concurrent 17 years on the attending staff of Los Angeles Children's Hospital in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He saw massive internal and external pressures on American households that was causing unprecedented disintegration of families. Yet there seemed to be no comprehensive, rational and biblically based conception of the family by those in greatest need.
From a two-room suite in Arcadia, Calif., Dr. Dobson began with a 25-minute weekly radio program heard on only a few dozen stations. Focus has since become an international organization with more than 74 different ministries and nearly 1,300 employees. Focus has daily broadcasts heard on over 4,000 facilities worldwide, and Dr. Dobson still explores family issues, usually with one or more recognized experts as guests.
Meanwhile, other parts of the organization produce six additional broadcasts, ten magazines (sent to more than 2.3 million people a month), award-winning books, films, and videos. Focus also responds to as many as 55,000 letters a week, offers professional counseling and referrals to a network of 1,500 therapists, and addresses public policy and cultural issues.
Dr. Dobson's method attempts to "turn hearts toward home" by reasonable, biblical and empirical insights so people will be able to discover the founder of homes and the creator of families: Jesus Christ.
Focus on the Family Action, Inc. (FOFA) was organized as a religious corporation on April 2, 2004, and will specifically be active in the promotion of social welfare by addressing the Christian community and the Christian's responsibility in the public policy arena, both locally and nationally. It is organized under the Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act for religious purposes. FOFA was formed for the express purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to provide an educational service to parents and others who are concerned with healthy family living, toward the end of strengthening the family in its varied dimensions.