Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Analysis

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a registered charity in United States, based in Bala Cynwyd, PA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1963, 63 years ago. The IRS classifies it as a church under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reported income of $7.8m and spending of $9.6m, spending 123% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $7.4m to $7.8m (+5.8%), an average of +1.4% a year. Over the whole period it spent 116% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sits at the 94th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 94th percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within PA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Project Live Inc ($7.8m), The Berkeley School ($7.8m) and Prologue Inc ($7.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 0.5% and program service revenue 99% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $172k (1.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $3.8m. At year end it held assets of $30.6m against liabilities of $37.5m, net assets of -$6.9m. It reported 141 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.