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← WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES.

Totals

Total revenue
$30,699,778
Total expenses
$26,210,877
Contributions and grants received
$15,079,275
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$8,938,412
Investment income
$1,092,831
Other revenue
$5,589,260
Total assets, end of year
$56,587,672
Total liabilities, end of year
$6,395,969
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$50,191,703
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$14,375,132
Management and general expenses
$7,983,660
Fundraising expenses
$3,852,085
Program service expenses (Part III)
$14,375,132

Program services were 54.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $15,079,275

  • 2a · Program service revenue: COMMISSIONS

    total $79,964 · related or exempt $79,964

  • 2b · Program service revenue: CONFERENCES

    total $495,691 · related or exempt $495,691

  • 2c · Program service revenue: SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $8,048,848 · related or exempt $8,048,848

  • 2d · Program service revenue: SPONSORSHIP

    total $245,026 · related or exempt $245,026

  • 2e · Program service revenue: MASTERS PROGRAM

    total $68,883 · related or exempt $68,883

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,092,831 · excluded $1,092,831

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $22,600 · related or exempt $22,600

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $16,882,306

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $11,345,605

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $5,536,701 · related or exempt $5,536,701

  • 11a · Other revenue: Miscellaneous Revenue

    total $29,959 · related or exempt $24,082 · unrelated business $5,877

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $29,959

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $183,755 · program services $136,953 · management and general $44,101 · fundraising $2,701

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,655,030 · program services $3,473,575 · management and general $2,272,189 · fundraising $909,266

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $470,459 · program services $104,034 · management and general $53,936 · fundraising $312,489

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $834,614 · program services $652,042 · management and general $78,245 · fundraising $104,327

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $736,169 · program services $575,132 · management and general $69,016 · fundraising $92,021

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $133,634 · management and general $133,634

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $179,309 · management and general $179,309

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $60,269 · management and general $60,269

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,343,619 · program services $1,950,898 · management and general $85,511 · fundraising $1,307,210

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $3,891,364 · management and general $3,885,989 · fundraising $5,375

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,570,017 · program services $1,000,168 · management and general $87,377 · fundraising $482,472

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $1,175,594 · program services $1,175,594

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,269,352 · program services $706,394 · management and general $359,861 · fundraising $203,097

  • 17 · Travel

    total $642,861 · program services $566,198 · management and general $45,466 · fundraising $31,197

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,790,216 · program services $1,670,852 · management and general $100,035 · fundraising $19,329

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $392,792 · program services $218,589 · management and general $111,356 · fundraising $62,847

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $169,236 · management and general $169,236

  • 24a · Other expenses: BANK CHARGES

    total $1,207,518 · program services $970,723 · management and general $12,134 · fundraising $224,661

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $1,098,059 · program services $775,013 · management and general $227,953 · fundraising $95,093

  • 24c · Other expenses: SALES TAX PAID

    total $398,967 · program services $398,967

  • 24d · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES

    total $8,043 · program services $0 · management and general $8,043

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $6,283,661 · end of year $6,175,626

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $95,813 · end of year $96,663

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $880,311 · end of year $728,952

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $6,012,885 · end of year $8,633,229

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $2,343,740 · end of year $1,903,125

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $4,951,947

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,140,216

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,276,724 · end of year $3,811,731

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $29,351,637 · end of year $32,414,934

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $39,864 · end of year $265,989

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $4,561,720 · end of year $2,557,423

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,055,831 · end of year $891,093

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $217,086 · end of year $813,227

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,597,650 · end of year $4,691,649

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $44,376,806 · end of year $48,186,860

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,598,982 · end of year $2,004,843

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES IS A GLOBAL MEDIA APOSTOLATE THAT SUPPORTS THE WORK OF BISHOP ROBERT BARRON AND REACHES MILLONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO DRAW THEM BACK TO OR INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

Activities or mission (Part I)

WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES IS A GLOBAL MEDIA APOSTOLATE THAT SUPPORTS THE WORK OF BISHOP ROBERT BARRON & REACHES MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO DRAW THEM BACK TO OR INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

  • WORD ON FIRE BOOKSTORE Word on Fire continued its unprecedented growth in Catholic publishing, releasing 34 new titles and earning a record-breaking 34 honors at the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards. We expanded our impact on young readers through the Word on Fire Votive imprint, releasing our first children's Bible, The Story of All Stories, which was a huge success. A major milestone was reached with the release of The Word on Fire Bible: Volume V (Exile and Return), pushing this groundbreaking series past its halfway point. Through our Works of Mercy Fund, we distributed over 19,000 books and 4,200 Bibles to parishes, military bases, and campus ministries globally. Furthermore, our Liturgy of the Hours initiative reached a new peak of 30,000 monthly subscribers, coinciding with Word on Fire being officially selected by the USCCB as a publisher for the new Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition.

    Expenses $11,003,078 · Revenue $9,763,935

  • WORD ON FIRE INSTITUTE Word on Fire Institute continued to expand its mission of forming and equipping Catholics for evangelization, reaching a new milestone of over 30,000 active members during the fiscal year. The Institute provided members with comprehensive formation through online courses, engaged communities and specialized development tracks designed to deepen understanding of the faith and prepare individuals to evangelize effectively in today's world. A highlight was inaugural Lenten Retreat featuring Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., which garnered 4,200 participants. During this period, Bishop Barron and Institute leadership engaged members and supporters through in-person and virtual events, including lectures, conferences, and international speaking engagements that further advanced the Institute's global reach. The Institute began a new partnership with the Catholic University of America in the Evangelization and Culture Master's Program, an accredited Master of Arts degree that equips students with the intellectual, spiritual, and practical tools necessary to proclaim the Gospel in our secular age.

    Expenses $2,810,457 · Revenue $4,605,685

  • WORD ON FIRE MEDIA Word on Fire Media significantly expanded its evangelical reach, headlined by Bishop Barron's keynote address to over 50,000 pilgrims at the National Eucharistic Congress, which broadcasted the Gospel to a global audience. The YouTube channel achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 2 million subscribers, doubling its base from the previous year and generating record engagement through "Sunday Sermons "Bishop Barron Presents." To celebrate the apostolate's 25th anniversary, we launched a major documentary project on French Gothic architecture and initiated the "10,000 Rosaries" digital campaign, fostering a global community of prayer. Our digital platforms experienced continued growth, with Bishop Barron's YouTube channel, podcasts, and social media content reaching millions of viewers and listeners. Core content series such as Sunday Sermons and Bishop Barron Presents continued to foster deeper engagement with the Catholic faith and invite audiences into ongoing formation and conversion. We further expanded our media capabilities through enhanced studio production, enabling high-quality video content and in-depth conversations with leading voices in theology, culture, and public life. Additionally, our website and digital ecosystem saw significant increases in traffic and engagement, extending the reach of its evangelization efforts to a broader global audience.

    Expenses $561,597 · Revenue $152,175

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Diane Archibald

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • John Lehocky

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Stephen Grunow

    CEO & Executive Producer

    Total calculated
    $108,033
    From this org
    $96,982
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,051
    Hours/week
    40

  • James Perry

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • John Barron

    Senior Development Director

    Total calculated
    $193,894
    From this org
    $182,828
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,066
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,777
    Bonus
    $600
    Other
    $451
    Deferred
    $5,256
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,810
    Filer's total
    $193,894

  • John Croghan

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • John Powers

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Joseph Guinan

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Michael Benz

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Robert Barron

    Director

    Total calculated
    $88,546
    From this org
    $86,774
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,772
    Hours/week
    40

  • Steven Straus

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Brandon Vogt

    Senior Publishing Director

    Total calculated
    $179,340
    From this org
    $174,689
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,651
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,676
    Bonus
    $600
    Other
    $15,413
    Deferred
    $4,502
    Nontaxable benefits
    $149
    Filer's total
    $179,340

  • Jonathan Bator

    Senior Director of Marketing & Sales

    Total calculated
    $187,972
    From this org
    $166,390
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,582
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,016
    Bonus
    $16,961
    Other
    $413
    Deferred
    $4,502
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,080
    Filer's total
    $187,972

  • Mark Bradford

    Fellow for Persons with Intellectual & Development Disabilities

    Total calculated
    $162,626
    From this org
    $140,461
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,165
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $139,481
    Bonus
    $600
    Other
    $380
    Deferred
    $4,169
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,996
    Filer's total
    $162,626

  • Matthew Petrusek

    Senior Director of the Word on Fire Institute

    Total calculated
    $228,165
    From this org
    $205,203
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,962
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,358
    Bonus
    $600
    Other
    $19,245
    Deferred
    $4,966
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,996
    Filer's total
    $228,165

  • Sean Davis

    Senior Director of Technology

    Total calculated
    $163,418
    From this org
    $141,298
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,120
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $140,312
    Bonus
    $600
    Other
    $386
    Deferred
    $4,124
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,996
    Filer's total
    $163,418

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Schedule J, Part I, Line 7 Non-fixed payments
The Senior Director of Marketing & Sales RECEIVED A BONUS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE ORGANIZATION. ALL OTHER BONUSES RECEIVED IN WERE HOLIDAY BONUSES.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
14 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.1
Source object
202601349349310625

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