Cru 
The information on this page was last updated 9/27/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Cru is helping to fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit by winning people to faith in Jesus Christ, building them in their faith and sending them to win and build others. Cru helps the body of Christ to do evangelism and discipleship in a variety of creative ways. Its ministry encompasses more than 190 countries, being carried out by more than 25,000 staff members. The ministry has more than 30 program ministries, such as Jesus Film Project, Josh McDowell Ministry, Cru Military, Athletes in Action, The Campus Ministry, Family Life and more. Their vision is to help build spiritual movements everywhere so everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ. Campus Crusade for Christ is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, it is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact information
Mailing address:
100 Lake Hart Dr
Orlando, FL 32832
Website: cru.org
Phone: (888) 278-7233
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 956006173
CEO/President: Steve Sellers
Chairman: R. Barry Cannada
Board size: 8
Founder: Bill and Vonette Bright
Ruling year: 1951
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 08/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1979
Purpose
Cru is a community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ.
Our purpose is helping to fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit by winning people to faith in Jesus Christ, building them in their faith and sending them to win and build others.
We help the body of Christ to do evangelism and discipleship in a variety of creative ways.
We are committed to the centrality of the Cross, the truth of the Word, the power of the Holy Spirit and the global scope of the Great Commission. Read our Statement of Faith.
Cru offers spiritual guidance, resources and programs tailored to people from all cultures in every walk of life, including:
-- Campus ministries in 2,300 locations engaging more than 101,000 students and faculty members on U.S. college campuses.
-- Cru's city ministry, serving in over 35 cities and partnering with over 2,000 churches and organizations in mobilizing Christ-followers to share God's love throughout the city.
-- Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and other events sponsored by the Cru ministry FamilyLife, at which more than 4 million people in 109 countries have been trained.
-- Over 40 years, nearly 100 million people have heard Dennis and Barbara Rainey on their daily radio programs FamilyLife Today and Real FamilyLife, and others have found biblical help and hope online at FamilyLife.com, in their books and marriage devotionals, or by participating in a Homebuilders or Connect Series Bible study. David Robbins will succeed Dennis Rainey later this fall as president and CEO of FamilyLife.
-- Athletes in Action, Cru's sports ministry, which has outreaches in 64 countries, including at 225 college campuses and with 46 professional sports teams in the U.S. Its sports media touches the lives of an estimated 100 million people annually.
-- Cru Military, which ministers to military installations and communities in all 50 states, as well as deployed units (ships, flight lines and foxholes).
-- The "JESUS" film has been shown in more than 2,000 languages and in every nation in the world. To date, the Jesus Film Project is responsible for more than 8 billion exposures to the gospel and more than 570 million total estimated decisions for Christ.
Cru was originally founded as Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951 when Bill and Vonette Bright began the ministry on the UCLA campus. God gave Bill a vision of the total fulfillment of the Great Commission throughout the world. We are only a part of God's workforce to accomplish that vision, but we are passionate about playing our part and about helping others play theirs. From the beginning, we have sought to be a caring community on mission together.
Mission statement
Our Mission - Win, build and send Christ-centered multiplying disciples.
Our Vision - Movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus. Our Values- Faith, Growth and Fruitfulness.
Statement of faith
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (that is, it is inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians. Because of the specialized calling of our movement, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us.
1. There is one true God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of personality.
2. Jesus Christ is God, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. Hence, He is perfect Deity and true humanity united in one person forever.
3. He lived a sinless life and voluntarily atoned for human sins by dying on the cross as a substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone.
4. He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He lived and died.
5. He ascended bodily into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and humanity, continually makes intercession for His own.
6. Adam and Eve were originally created in the image of God. They sinned by disobeying God; thus, they were alienated from their Creator. That historic fall brought all people under divine condemnation.
7. Human nature is corrupted. As a result, all people are totally unable to please God. Everyone is in need of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
8. Salvation is wholly a work of God's free grace and is not the work, in whole or in part, of human works or goodness or religious ceremony. God imputes His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation and thereby justifies them in His sight.
9. It is the privilege of all who are born again of the Spirit to be assured of their salvation from the very moment in which they trust Christ as their Savior. This assurance is not based upon any kind of human merit but is produced by the witness of the Holy Spirit, who confirms in the believer the testimony of God in His written word.
10.The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to individuals. He convicts and draws sinners to Christ, imparts new life to them, continually indwells them from the moment of spiritual birth and seals them until the day of redemption. His fullness, power and control are appropriated in the believer's life by faith.
11.Believers are called to live so in the power of the indwelling Spirit that they will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.
12.Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, His body, which is composed of all people, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith.
13.God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement.
14.At physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of the body to everlasting glory and blessing.
15.At physical death the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of the body to everlasting judgment and condemnation.
16.Jesus Christ will come again to the earth - personally, visibly and bodily - to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
17.The Lord Jesus Christ commanded all believers to proclaim the gospel throughout the world and to disciple people from every nation. The fulfillment of that Great Commission requires that all worldly and personal ambitions be subordinated to a total commitment to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us."
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Fellowship Evangelism
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 523 of 1106 | 16 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 663 of 1107 | 18 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 500 of 1107 | 14 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 441 of 1106 | 15 of 32 |
Click here to read Cru's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 8% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 7% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 86% | 95% | 95% | 92% | 92% | 92% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 7% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 8% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 14% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 83% | 84% | 84% | 85% | 84% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 91% | 95% | 97% | 95% | 97% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 74% | 79% | 81% | 79% | 82% | 82% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 9% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 11% | 9% | 6% | 12% | 8% | 7% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.15 | 1.17 | 1.41 | 1.49 | 1.62 | 1.68 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.42 | 1.09 | 1.13 | 1.15 | 1.17 | 1.20 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.61 | 1.28 | 1.60 | 1.71 | 1.89 | 2.02 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.62 | 4.81 | 3.92 | 3.78 | 3.66 | 3.61 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.09 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.28 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.72 | 7.40 | 5.60 | 5.17 | 4.61 | 4.30 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 27% | 31% | 29% | 31% | 33% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 81% | 63% | 49% | 48% | 43% | 40% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $95,026,000 | $65,589,000 | $56,260,000 | $51,506,000 | $63,074,000 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $31,715,000 | $32,140,000 | $30,700,000 | $29,159,000 | $28,853,000 |
| Short-term investments | $316,913,000 | $282,443,000 | $261,115,000 | $225,126,000 | $182,634,000 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $443,654,000 | $380,172,000 | $348,075,000 | $305,791,000 | $274,561,000 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $41,484,000 | $49,364,000 | $50,062,000 | $50,522,000 | $53,291,000 |
| Other long-term assets | $451,000 | $1,750,000 | $1,336,000 | $1,097,000 | $1,132,000 |
| Total long-term assets | $41,935,000 | $51,114,000 | $51,398,000 | $51,619,000 | $54,423,000 |
| Total assets | $485,589,000 | $431,286,000 | $399,473,000 | $357,410,000 | $328,984,000 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $42,818,000 | $50,321,000 | $52,914,000 | $45,548,000 | $43,291,000 |
| Other current liabilities | $49,324,000 | $46,566,000 | $39,129,000 | $38,019,000 | $32,801,000 |
| Total current liabilities | $92,142,000 | $96,887,000 | $92,043,000 | $83,567,000 | $76,092,000 |
| Debt | $606,000 | $512,000 | $550,000 | $590,000 | $660,000 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $36,483,000 | $34,818,000 | $21,864,000 | $26,539,000 | $32,082,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $37,089,000 | $35,330,000 | $22,414,000 | $27,129,000 | $32,742,000 |
| Total liabilities | $129,231,000 | $132,217,000 | $114,457,000 | $110,696,000 | $108,834,000 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $341,350,000 | $284,148,000 | $270,801,000 | $233,888,000 | $211,775,000 |
| With donor restrictions | $15,008,000 | $14,921,000 | $14,215,000 | $12,826,000 | $8,375,000 |
| Net assets | $356,358,000 | $299,069,000 | $285,016,000 | $246,714,000 | $220,150,000 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $570,109,000 | $590,924,000 | $578,159,000 | $549,316,000 | $526,287,000 |
| Program service revenue | $20,121,000 | $21,204,000 | $21,802,000 | $21,674,000 | $22,806,000 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $9,849,000 | $12,499,000 | $27,500,000 | $27,419,000 | $20,708,000 |
| Total other revenue | $29,970,000 | $33,703,000 | $49,302,000 | $49,093,000 | $43,514,000 |
| Total revenue | $600,079,000 | $624,627,000 | $627,461,000 | $598,409,000 | $569,801,000 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $474,799,000 | $508,896,000 | $497,147,000 | $492,248,000 | $466,384,000 |
| Management and general | $42,218,000 | $44,102,000 | $43,879,000 | $42,191,000 | $43,883,000 |
| Fundraising | $52,726,000 | $53,809,000 | $53,277,000 | $43,601,000 | $43,212,000 |
| Total expenses | $569,743,000 | $606,807,000 | $594,303,000 | $578,040,000 | $553,479,000 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $30,336,000 | $17,820,000 | $33,158,000 | $20,369,000 | $16,322,000 |
| Other changes in net assets | $26,953,000 | ($3,767,000) | $5,144,000 | $6,195,000 | $39,396,000 |
| Total change in net assets | $57,289,000 | $14,053,000 | $38,302,000 | $26,564,000 | $55,718,000 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
Cru has chosen not to file Form 990 because it requires us to disclose in a public manner information which we believe violates the privacy of our donors and our missionaries outside of the US.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/27/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Cru was founded in 1951 by William R. "Bill" Bright, with a commitment to the Lord's Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. As a student at Fuller Theological Seminary, studying late one night for a Greek exam, Bill Bright received a unique impression from God to invest his life in helping reach the entire world, starting with college students. A professor friend suggested "Campus Crusade for Christ" as the name of the new ministry. In the fall, Bill and his wife, Vonette, started Campus Crusade (now known as Cru in the U.S.) at UCLA with the backing of a 24-hour prayer chain. You can see an extensive historical review of Cru on their website here:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/about/what-we-do.html
When Cru began, its strategies and materials were radical and relevant to the culture of the day. As society has changed, Cru has continued to develop and discover new strategies and materials to communicate the message of Jesus Christ just as effectively today as it did on the UCLA campus in 1951. Whether it's new ministries, new strategies, or a new look for old materials, Cru staff members continue to target their wide variety of audiences.
Program accomplishments
Cru has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world.
Its ministry encompasses more than 190 countries, being carried out by more than 25,000 staff members. To view an extensive list of the ministries that make up Cru, visit here: https://www.cru.org/us/en/communities.html
Here is a list of Cru's United States Ministries:
- Arrowhead Conferences and Events
Arrowhead Conferences and Events is Cru's meeting planning ministry. ACE serves Cru and other Christian ministries with their conference planning needs - from staff retreats to multi-city and city-wide major events.
Arrowhead Conferences and Events
300 East State Street, Suite 220
Redlands, CA 92373
(442) 223-0201
[email protected] - Athletes in Action
Reaching the United States and resourcing the world through the influence of sports. www.athletesinaction.org
Athletes in Action
651 Taylor Drive
Xenia, OH 45385
(937) 352-1000
[email protected]
- Campus
Partnering with the whole body of Christ to reach the world's university students with the gospel, turning lost students into Christ-centered laborers. Cru.org/campus
The Campus Ministry
Cru
100 Lake Hart Drive, #2500
Orlando, FL 32832
(407) 826-2500
- Christian Embassy - New York
Reaching diplomatic leaders with the gospel in New York. www.ce-un.org/
- Christian Embassy - Washington, D.C.
Reaching government, military and diplomatic leaders with the gospel, in Washington D.C.
4601 N. Fairfax Dr. 1200
Arlington, VA 22203
202-929-9059
www.christianembassy.com
- City
Kingdom citizens advancing the mission of Jesus for the well-being of the city. Cru.org/city
100 Lake Hart Dr. Dept. 5200
Orlando, FL 32832
(407) 826-2089
- Faculty Commons
Reaching and equipping professors to reach their colleagues. www.facultycommons.com
Faculty Commons
2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2700
Plano, TX 75075
(973) 516-0516
[email protected]
- FamilyLife
Equipping couples and individuals to build godly homes through FamilyLife Conferences (marriage, parenting and urban), Homebuilders Bible Studies and "FamilyLife Today" radio broadcasts. www.familylife.com
FamilyLife
100 Lake Hart Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
1-800-FLTODAY (1-800-358-6329)
- High School
Reaching high school students for Christ. www.cruhighschool.com
- Inner City
Mobilizing urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs in the inner city. cru.org/innercity
Inner City
2112 Broadway St. NE Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 338-0999
[email protected]
- The Impact Movement
A partnering ministry building spiritual movements within the African-American community and among people of African descent worldwide. www.impactmovement.com
The Impact Movement
P.O. Box 607803
Orlando, FL 32860
445 North Wymore Road
Winter Park, FL 32789
(888) 672-2896
[email protected]
- Jesus Film Project
Helping to provide media tools, training, strategies and resources for abundant follow through evangelism in every needed language. www.jesusfilm.org
Jesus Film Project®
100 Lake Hart Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
(407) 826-2300
Jesus Film Mission Trips
www.JesusFilmMissionTrips.org
1-866-622-8747
[email protected]
- Josh McDowell Ministry
Winning people worldwide to Christ and convincing them of the credibility of Christianity and attractiveness and reasonableness of a Biblical lifestyle. www.josh.org
Josh McDowell Ministry
2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2400
Plano, TX 75075
(972) 907-1000, Fax (972) 669-1542
- Medical Strategic Network
A partnering ministry with Cru that equips medical professionals to strategically penetrate their spheres of influence with the gospel. www.medSn.org
Medical Strategic Network
P.O. Box 2052
Redlands, CA 92373
(760) 249-6761
[email protected]
- Cru Military
Bringing hope and resources to the military worldwide. www.crumilitary.org
Cru Military
750 Middle Ground Boulevard
Newport News, VA 23606-2587
1-800-444-6006
- Momentum Europe (International)
Raising up prayer, partners and resources to help ignite and resource spiritual awakening in Europe. www.momentumeurope.net
Momentum Europe
100 Lake Hart Dr. Suite 4200
Orlando, FL 32832
407-826-2483
[email protected]
- NewLife Resources
Serving churches and ministering to Christians with tools for building effective ministry. www.crustore.org
New Life Resources
(770) 631-9940
- StoryRunners
Planting churches among unreached people groups by the power of God's word in form of Bible stories. www.storyrunners.org
StoryRunners
100 Lake Hart Drive #1100
Orlando, FL 32832
(407) 826-2396
[email protected]
- Unto®
Helping you express the kindness of Jesus through humanitarian aid. unto.com
Unto
2001 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2200
Plano, TX 75075
(972) 234-0800
[email protected]
- World Headquarters at Lake Hart
Providing vital services and strategic resources to accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Cru Global
World Headquarters at Lake Hart
100 Lake Hart Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
888-278-7233
Needs
Each ministry of Cru, as well as individual staff members, gather a team of people who fund the work to which God has called us. Our efforts are only made possible through the generous donations and prayers of people like you, vital partners in ministry.
To find answers to many general questions, you may explore the following links:
-- Give online using your bank account or credit account
-- View your giving history (requires prior online account activation) -- Start or change a recurring gift
-- Change your address, phone or e-mail (requires prior online account activation) -- Give stock or other non-cash gifts
-- Planned giving including wills, trusts and annuities
-- Make a credit card donation by phone at (888) 278-7233
-- Mail a check to: "Cru" or "Campus Crusade for Christ", P.O. Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862-8222. (Please include on a separate slip of paper the Cru staff member or ministry you wish to benefit from your gift)
We would like to assist you with any questions, concerns, or feedback you have. To speak with someone, you can call our Donation Services at (888) 278-7233 between 9-5 p.m., Eastern Time.
We seek to maintain the highest standards of integrity before the Lord and before you. We invite you to read our stewardship guidelines which give an overview of our organizational donation policies. Among the topics are our commitment to biblical stewardship, guidelines on donor confidentiality, and much more.
Cru invites you to locate a ministry near you:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/communities/locations.html