Scripture Union USA / SU 
Summary
Scripture Union's vision and prayer for our ministry is to become a catalyst for a national network of after-school and summer programs for at-risk and/or un-churched children that are built on a relational, holistic evangelistic philosophy. This project is especially significant because it targets children outside the orbit of the church, at an age when research shows that they are most likely to respond to Christ. SU is a nonprofit organization and contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Box 215
Valley Forge, PA 19481-0215
Website: www.scriptureunion.org
Phone: (800) 621-5267
Email: info@scriptureunion.org
Organization details
EIN: 251228715
CEO/President: Gail Martin
Chairman: Gordon Haresign
Board size: 9
Founder:
Year founded: 1959
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
The Need - Scripture Union recognizes the urgent need to reach the next generation with the reality of the Gospel and the truth of God's Word. We believe this is one of the most important mission fields facing the Christian community today.
- There are 75 million children in the United States, 10 million of whom are considered "at-risk"
- The majority have little or no understanding of God or the Bible.
- Traditional forms of children's ministry (Sunday School and Vacation Bible School) are not reaching the greater percentage of children outside the church.
- 85% of those who make a decision for Christ do so between the ages of 4 and 14
- After the age of 19, the spiritual identity of a person is largely set in place.
Mission statement
Scripture Union expresses its vision as follows:
Working as an extension of the Church, Scripture Union's mission is:
a) to make God's Good News known to children, young people and their families;
b) to encourage people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer so that they may come to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, grow in Christian maturity, become committed church members and serve a world in need.
Statement of faith
Scripture Union upholds the truths of Christianity as revealed by God in Holy Scripture including:
- The unity of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
- The sovereignty of God in creation, providence, revelation, redemption and final judgment.
- The divine inspiration and the entire trustworthiness and unity of Holy Scripture and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- The sinfulness and guilt of all people since the Fall, rendering them subject to God's wrath and condemnation.
- Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin solely through the sacrificial death, as our representative and substitute, of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
- The bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father.
- The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective to the individual sinner, granting repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The justification of the sinner by the grace of God through faith in Christ alone.
- The indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
- The one holy, universal Church, which is the Body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong.
- The expectation of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Publishing
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 197 of 585 | 1 of 10 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 449 of 585 | 6 of 10 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 163 of 585 | 2 of 10 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 112 of 585 | 2 of 10 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 12% | 13% | 9% | 11% | 8% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 10% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 87% | 86% | 88% | 84% | 90% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 10% | 11% | 9% | 8% | 7% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 13% | 14% | 12% | 16% | 10% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 86% | 81% | 84% | 86% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 105% | 99% | 94% | 113% | 102% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 90% | 80% | 78% | 97% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | -5% | 1% | 6% | -13% | -2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -16% | 5% | 29% | -89% | -10% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 4% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.08 | 3.01 | 2.63 | 2.42 | 3.91 | 2.65 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.69 | 1.01 | 1.03 | 1.04 | 1.17 | 1.15 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 3.05 | 2.69 | 2.51 | 4.58 | 3.05 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.84 | 7.48 | 4.39 | 4.90 | 1.73 | 2.28 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.23 | 0.20 | 0.58 | 0.44 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 3.41 | 3.44 | 3.80 | 1.10 | 2.21 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 13% | 22% | 46% | 49% | 38% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 75% | 29% | 30% | 22% | 13% | 23% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $387,166 | $444,683 | $438,222 | $229,773 | $243,560 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $93,847 | $102,934 | $301,718 | $266,728 | $538,990 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $481,013 | $547,617 | $739,940 | $496,501 | $782,550 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $6,617 | $14,284 | $26,887 | $85,159 | $118,327 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $6,617 | $14,284 | $26,887 | $85,159 | $118,327 |
| Total assets | $487,630 | $561,901 | $766,827 | $581,660 | $900,877 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $60,848 | $70,657 | $134,130 | $256,464 | $339,875 |
| Other current liabilities | $3,480 | $54,151 | $16,863 | $30,685 | $3,220 |
| Total current liabilities | $64,328 | $124,808 | $150,993 | $287,149 | $343,095 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $200,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $200,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $64,328 | $124,808 | $350,993 | $287,149 | $343,095 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $151,028 | $287,834 | $266,575 | $186,934 | $369,610 |
| Temporarily restricted | $272,274 | $149,259 | $149,259 | $107,577 | $188,172 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $423,302 | $437,093 | $415,834 | $294,511 | $557,782 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $1,213,905 | $1,283,426 | $1,737,945 | $1,699,542 | $2,100,237 |
| Program service revenue | $164,947 | $190,490 | $202,188 | $263,193 | $208,698 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,051 | $572 | $119 | $0 | $128 |
| Other revenue | $21,036 | $22,370 | $38,924 | $49,128 | $25,161 |
| Total other revenue | $187,034 | $213,432 | $241,231 | $312,321 | $233,987 |
| Total revenue | $1,400,939 | $1,496,858 | $1,979,176 | $2,011,863 | $2,334,224 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $1,261,241 | $1,190,580 | $1,552,928 | $1,948,513 | $2,059,660 |
| Management and general | $62,351 | $115,596 | $140,510 | $147,008 | $154,390 |
| Fundraising | $143,060 | $169,423 | $164,415 | $179,613 | $175,582 |
| Total expenses | $1,466,652 | $1,475,599 | $1,857,853 | $2,275,134 | $2,389,632 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($65,713) | $21,259 | $121,323 | ($263,271) | ($55,408) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($65,713) | $21,259 | $121,323 | ($263,271) | ($55,408) |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Scripture Union began in 1867 when a young Englishman named Josiah Spiers took the "radical" step of sharing the Good News with children on a beach. A few years later, a volunteer named Annie Marsten printed lists of Bible passages for the children to read after the beach missions. Soon, over 500,000 children around the world were reading the Bible in Scripture Union groups. From that small beginning, Scripture Union has expanded to 121 national movements worldwide, each with
indigenous leadership and each with the same mission.
In the United States, Scripture Union began in 1959 and has developed a variety of evangelism and discipleship programs for children, youth, and families, as well as several Bible engagement programs and publications for all ages. These include:
The Essential 100 Challenge. A national Bible engagement program for individuals, youth groups, and churches based on a new way for reading through the Bible called The Essential 100.
The Essential Jesus Challenge. This new program, takes churches, individuals and groups through the storyline of Jesus Christ in 100 carefully selected readings from both the Old and New Testaments.
SuperKids. A program for creatively presenting the Good News and God's Word to un-churched children, anytime, anywhere.
PrimeTime. A Bible-based after-school program for at-risk children, especially in urban areas, developed in partnership with The Salvation Army.
SU/USA also publishes two quarterly Bible reading guides: Discovery and Encounter with God. Current circulation: 60,000.
Program accomplishments
The Barna Group, a nationally-recognized research organization, conducted a study in 2010-11.
Responses from Children and Youth after participating in a SuperKids program...
92% said all who believe in Jesus will have eternal life
90% felt more loved by God
81% learned more about God and Jesus
80% said they learned more about the Bible
74% said that they want to follow Jesus
68% said they want to go to church
66% said they learned how to stay out of trouble
64% said they learned "right from wrong"
Responses from Leaders and Volunteers after participating in a SuperKids program...
89% said SuperKids helps children know more about Jesus
83% said SuperKids helps children learn about the Bible
77% said SuperKids makes Bible learning fun for children
74% said they'd be a SuperKids team leader in the future
69% were completely satisfied with SuperKids Program
What Christian Leaders are Saying About...Scripture Union
- "Scripture Union made me realize the importance of the word of God." --Luis Palau
- "Scripture Union taught me the discipline of daily Bible reading." --John Stott
- "I wouldn't be the person I am today without...Scripture Union." --N. T. Wright
- "I am totally, completely and forever a Scripture Union man." --Billy Graham
Needs
Scripture Union is committed to the expansion of the PrimeTime program, reaching more children with the Good News of the Gospel. Funding is gratefully accepted in order to maintain the current programs and expand to new locations. The vision for the PrimeTime program is to become a catalyst for a national network of after-school programs for at-risk and/or un-churched children. The foundation for these programs is built on a relational, holistic evangelistic philosophy. This project is especially significant because it targets children outside the orbit of church, at an age which research shows they are most likely to respond to Christ.
PrimeTime Expense Summary -
- Training. SU Regional Directors will conduct start-up training for leaders and volunteers at each PrimeTime location. In addition, follow up training and site visits occur throughout the year.
- Curriculum. SU produces all curriculum materials and provides all supplies for the program at each location.
- Online Children's Resource Center. SU has developed a web-based delivery system for its curriculum and video training modules thereby enhancing the work of the Regional Directors and quickly spreading the program to other locations.
- Follow-Up Strategy. Scripture Union brings the PrimeTime program to at-risk children in their own neighborhoods. The programs are designed for implementation in local churches so that children and their families can be connected for ongoing assistance with basic needs, as well as spiritual support.
- Bible Engagement. The PrimeTime program encourages children to read and know the Scriptures by incorporating fun, Bible-based activities. New materials are being developed that help the children foster a Bible-based lifestyle.