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Nonprofiteer
← WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by WORD ON FIRE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES.

Totals

Total revenue
$26,852,104
Total expenses
$19,160,697
Contributions and grants received
$12,516,785
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$7,354,398
Investment income
$780,046
Other revenue
$6,200,875
Total assets, end of year
$51,846,355
Total liabilities, end of year
$5,870,567
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$45,975,788
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$13,681,384
Management and general expenses
$2,690,148
Fundraising expenses
$2,789,165
Program service expenses (Part III)
$13,681,384

Program services were 71.4% 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

    $12,516,785

  • 2a · Program service revenue: COMMISSIONS

    total $153,199 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2b · Program service revenue: CONFERENCES

    total $161,728 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2c · Program service revenue: SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $7,024,028 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2d · Program service revenue: SPONSORSHIP

    total $15,443 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $992,584 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $992,584

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $16,584 · related or exempt $16,584 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $4,291,960 · other assets $188,287

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $4,419,300 · other assets $273,485

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$127,340 · other assets -$85,198

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$212,538 · related or exempt -$212,538 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $15,639,068

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $9,454,777

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $6,184,291 · related or exempt $6,184,291

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $996,760 · program services $727,635 · management and general $139,546 · fundraising $129,579

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,866,536 · program services $3,552,571 · management and general $681,315 · fundraising $632,650

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $177,547 · program services $129,609 · management and general $24,857 · fundraising $23,081

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $960,459 · program services $701,135 · management and general $134,464 · fundraising $124,860

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $484,223 · program services $353,483 · management and general $67,791 · fundraising $62,949

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $342,025 · program services $0 · management and general $342,025 · fundraising $0

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $85,893 · program services $7,105 · management and general $74,114 · fundraising $4,674

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0 · fundraising $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $56,772 · program services $0 · management and general $56,772 · fundraising $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,763,320 · program services $1,291,906 · management and general $207,420 · fundraising $1,263,994

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,655,233 · program services $2,647,626 · management and general $2,304 · fundraising $5,303

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $130,483 · program services $65,360 · management and general $63,668 · fundraising $1,455

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $99,030 · program services $42,844 · management and general $52,023 · fundraising $4,163

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $1,206,185 · program services $1,206,185 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $914,077 · program services $667,276 · management and general $127,971 · fundraising $118,830

  • 17 · Travel

    total $446,618 · program services $324,492 · management and general $90,452 · fundraising $31,674

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $251,315 · program services $227,897 · management and general $22,171 · fundraising $1,247

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $290,026 · program services $0 · management and general $290,026 · fundraising $0

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $129,034 · program services $0 · management and general $129,034 · fundraising $0

  • 24a · Other expenses: BANK CHARGES

    total $1,084,884 · program services $852,291 · management and general $35,685 · fundraising $196,908

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $683,628 · program services $523,319 · management and general $136,610 · fundraising $23,699

  • 24c · Other expenses: SALES TAX PAID

    total $70,892 · program services $70,892 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 24d · Other expenses: SHIPPING EXPENSE

    total $420,129 · program services $269,150 · management and general $4,751 · fundraising $146,228

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $45,628 · program services $20,608 · management and general $7,149 · fundraising $17,871

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $11,662,287 · end of year $6,283,661

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $80,711 · end of year $95,813

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $402,220 · end of year $880,311

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $6,400,024 · end of year $6,012,885

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $247,187 · end of year $2,343,740

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

    $3,042,981

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

    $766,257

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,462,187 · end of year $2,276,724

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $17,276,007 · end of year $29,351,637

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $51,075 · end of year $39,864

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $106,551 · end of year $4,561,720

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,787,408 · end of year $1,055,831

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    end of year $217,086

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $119,825 · end of year $4,597,650

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $34,510,503 · end of year $44,376,806

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,270,513 · end of year $1,598,982

Mission and programs · 2023

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 MILLONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO DRAW THEM BACK TO OR INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

  • WORD ON FIRE BOOKSTORE WORD ON FIRE ACHIEVED REMARKABLE MILESTONES, INCLUDING PUBLISHING A RECORD 32 BOOKS, DOUBLING LAST YEARS OUTPUT. WE LAUNCHED WORD ON FIRE SPARK, A CHILDRENS IMPRINT DEDICATED TO SHARING THE FAITHS TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND GOODNESS WITH YOUNG READERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. NOTABLY, WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 13,000 COPIES OF THE WORD ON FIRE BIBLE: VOLUME I TO OVER 100 CAMPUS MINISTRY CENTERS NATIONWIDE, REACHING COLLEGE STUDENTS AT A PIVOTAL TIME IN THEIR FAITH JOURNEY. OUR BESTSELLING BOOK, THIS IS MY BODY, SOLD 706,000 COPIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE WORD ON FIRE LITURGY OF THE HOURS GREW TO 27,000 MONTHLY SUBSCRIBERS.

    Expenses $8,067,679 · Revenue $16,127,879

  • WORD ON FIRE INSTITUTE BISHOP BARRON TRAVELED TO LONDON TO ENGAGE WITH SUPPORTERS AND INSTITUTE MEMBERS, DELIVERING IMPACTFUL LECTURES AND ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. THE WORD ON FIRE INSTITUTE, WHICH EXISTS TO FORM AND EQUIP INDIVIDUALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS,AND SPIRITUAL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE IN THE MISSION OF EVANGELIZATION REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 25,000 ACTIVE MEMBERS AND IS CONTINUING TO GROW. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTITUTE PARTNERED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS TO LAUNCH THE EVANGELIZATION AND CULTURE MASTERS PROGRAM, OFFERING AN ACCREDITED MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE THAT EQUIPS STUDENTS WITH THE INTELLECTUAL AND PRACTICAL TOOLS NEEDED TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL IN TODAYS SECULAR AND TECH-DRIVEN WORLD.

    Expenses $3,709,132 · Revenue $7,403,673

  • WORD ON FIRE MEDIA BISHOP BARRON INSPIRED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AT WORLD YOUTH DAY IN LISBON, PORTUGAL SHARING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH YOUNG INDIVIDUALS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SURPASSED 1 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS, WITH CONTENT LIKE SUNDAY SERMONS AND BISHOP BARRON PRESENTS SPARKING CONVERSIONS WITH DEEPER EXPLORATION OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH, GATHERING OVER 39 MILLION VIEWS THIS YEAR ALONE. A NEW STUDIO FACILITATED PROFOUND CONVERSATIONS WITH DIVERSE THOUGHT LEADERS, HIGHLIGHTING FAITHS ROLE IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE. ADDITIONALLY, WORD ON FIRES WEBSITE SAW A 27% INCREASE IN UNIQUE VISITORS, EXPANDING ITS REACH AND IMPACT.

    Expenses $1,904,573 · Revenue $170,146

As filed on the 2023 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • MATTHEW PETRUSEK

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF THE WORD FIRE INSTITUTE

    Total calculated
    $234,741
    From this org
    $218,685
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,056
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $165,539
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $52,397
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,056
    Filer's total
    $234,742

  • JONATHAN BATOR

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SALES

    Total calculated
    $195,271
    From this org
    $180,938
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,333
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,053
    Bonus
    $30,750
    Other
    $135
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,333
    Filer's total
    $195,271

  • JOHN BARRON

    SENIOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $184,491
    From this org
    $176,089
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,402
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,189
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $150
    Deferred
    $3,357
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,044
    Filer's total
    $184,490

  • BRANDON VOGT

    SENIOR PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $168,808
    From this org
    $165,938
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,870
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,053
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $15,135
    Deferred
    $2,870
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $168,808

  • MARK BRADFORD

    FELLOW FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES

    Total calculated
    $155,993
    From this org
    $139,854
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,139
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $139,854
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $124
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,139
    Filer's total
    $156,867

  • SEAN DAVIS

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

    Total calculated
    $156,437
    From this org
    $138,348
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,089
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $138,348
    Bonus
    $750
    Other
    $126
    Deferred
    $2,033
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,056
    Filer's total
    $157,313

  • STEPHEN GRUNOW

    CEO & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Total calculated
    $105,143
    From this org
    $97,886
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,257
    Hours/week
    40

  • ROBERT BARRON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $59,178
    From this org
    $59,178
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • JOE GUINAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JAMES PERRY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JOHN POWERS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JOHN CROGHAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • MIKE BENZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • STEVE STRAUS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JOHN LeHOCKY

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • DIANE ARCHIBALD

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

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

  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 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)

Pt I Line 7
During the fiscal year, the Senior Director of the Word on Fire Institute received a housing allowance of $32,000 as part of a relocation package approved by the organization. This allowance was provided to support the employees transition to a new geographic area as part of their acceptance of the role, ensuring proximity to the organizations headquarters and facilitating effective performance of their duties.
Pt I Line 7
The Senior Director of Marketing & Sales and the Senior Director of Development received a bonus based on performance and financial results of the organization.

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
2023
Filed
29 October 2024
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202500429349301145

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