Pioneer Clubs 
Summary
Pioneer Clubs is organized to serve God by assisting churches and other ministries in helping children and youth make Christ Lord in every aspect of life. Pioneer Clubs started as Girl's Guild in 1939. Over the years the curriculum has been revised to include multiple age divisions and materials for boys. Today, The program ministers to children and youth from age two to high school. Presently, approximately 3,700 churches in the United States and Canada sponsor the club ministry reaching over 140,000 children and youth.
Pioneer Clubs' mission is carried out by providing and distributing a quality Christ-centered children's club program designed to develop the whole person. It provides Christ-centered activity oriented program materials for Camp Cherith camps and other Christian Camps. The following core values are used to guide the ministry: God-honoring, Bible-based, child-focused, holistic ministry, excellence, people and relationships, Christian community, and responsible stewardship.
Pioneer Clubs is a nonprofit. 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) and the Christian Management Association.
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Box 788
27W130 Saint Charles Road, Carol Stream IL 60188
Wheaton, IL 60187-0788
Website: www.pioneerclubs.org
Phone: (630) 293-1600
Email: pcinfo@pioneerclubs.org
Organization details
EIN: 362222693
CEO/President: Ms. Judith C. Bryson
Chairman: Mr. John Scruton-Wilson
Board size: 10
Founder: Ms. Betty (Whitaker) McDonald
Year founded: 1939
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1982
Purpose
Pioneer Clubs is organized to serve God by assisting churches and other ministries in helping children and youth make Christ Lord in every aspect of life. Pioneer Clubs started as Girl's Guild in 1939. Over the years the curriculum has been revised to include multiple age divisions and materials for boys. Today, The program ministers to children and youth from age two to high school. Presently, approximately 3,700 churches in the United States and Canada sponsor the club ministry reaching over 140,000 children and youth.
Pioneer Clubs' mission is carried out by providing and distributing a quality Christ-centered children's club program designed to develop the whole person. It provides Christ-centered activity oriented program materials for Camp Cherith camps and other Christian Camps. The following core values are used to guide the ministry: God-honoring, Bible-based, child-focused, holistic ministry, excellence, people and relationships, Christian community, and responsible stewardship.
Pioneer Clubs is a nonprofit. 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) and the Christian Management Association.
Mission statement
Pioneer Clubs Mission Statement is:
Pioneer Clubs mission is to serve God by assisting churches and other ministries in helping children and youth make Christ Lord in every aspect of life.
Statement of faith
Pioneer Clubs Statement of Faith is as follows:
Spiritual Standard
All members of the board of directors and all staff shall be those who are committed to Christ and His service and seek to manifest the kind of life expressed in Romans 12:10-12
Statement of Faith
A.We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-17: Matthew 28:19
B.We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true god and true man. Matthew 1:18:23.
C.We believe in the Scriptures of Old and New Testament as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16:17
D.We believe that we were created in the image of God; that we sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born in sin, and that this sinful nature is the origin of all sinful acts in thought, word, and deed. Genesis 1:26, Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59: 2-4, Romans 6:23.
E.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scrptures, as a representative and substitutuinary ascrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. Romans 5:8-9
F.We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby become children of God. John 1:12, Roamans 8:9
G.We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and His ascension to Heaven, and in His present work as High Priest and advocate. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 4:14-16.
H.We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
I.We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just to everlasting blessedness, and the unjust to everlasting punishment. Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:15, Romans 6:23.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 530 of 586 | 55 of 56 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 571 of 586 | 56 of 56 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 571 of 586 | 54 of 56 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 221 of 586 | 18 of 56 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 59% | 30% | 25% | 38% | 13% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 20% | 7% | 3% | 9% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 33% | 23% | 11% | 25% | 35% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 14% | 6% | 4% | 8% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 67% | 77% | 89% | 75% | 65% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 64% | 62% | 57% | 56% | 69% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 136% | 115% | 60% | 115% | 107% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 87% | 71% | 34% | 64% | 74% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | -36% | -15% | 40% | -15% | -7% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -47% | -13% | 75% | -77% | -25% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 22% | 32% | 39% | 36% | 27% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.07 | 1.46 | 0.85 | 0.98 | 1.62 | 1.75 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.69 | 1.67 | 1.41 | 1.28 | 1.84 | 1.59 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 2.44 | 1.20 | 1.26 | 2.98 | 2.78 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.79 | 9.10 | 9.88 | 9.76 | 0.82 | 1.81 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 1.22 | 0.55 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 4.38 | 8.97 | 8.56 | -0.88 | 1.93 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 18% | 16% | 13% | 73% | 54% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 75% | 56% | 98% | 88% | 17% | 27% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Cash | $21,918 | $0 | $45,546 | $7,382 | $31,928 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $203,363 | $270,680 | $207,187 | $200,498 | $240,898 |
| Short-term investments | $75,883 | $295,907 | $440,805 | $210,695 | $232,134 |
| Other current assets | $69,177 | $69,177 | $69,177 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $370,341 | $635,764 | $762,715 | $418,575 | $504,960 |
| Long-term investments | $165,326 | $151,605 | $153,875 | $181,165 | $167,096 |
| Fixed assets | $47,940 | $53,247 | $2,183 | $120,613 | $131,300 |
| Other long-term assets | $36,581 | $54,094 | $55,474 | $51,337 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $249,847 | $258,946 | $211,532 | $353,115 | $298,396 |
| Total assets | $620,188 | $894,710 | $974,247 | $771,690 | $803,356 |
| Liabilities | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $17,814 | $46,331 | $67,609 | $58,255 | $42,761 |
| Other current liabilities | $22,890 | $17,997 | $10,501 | $451,609 | $236,374 |
| Total current liabilities | $40,704 | $64,328 | $78,110 | $509,864 | $279,135 |
| Debt | $0 | $2,484 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $71,572 | $79,744 | $49,937 | $51,623 | $152,409 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $71,572 | $82,228 | $49,937 | $51,623 | $152,409 |
| Total liabilities | $112,276 | $146,556 | $128,047 | $561,487 | $431,544 |
| Net assets | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Unrestricted | $400,256 | $633,009 | $740,723 | $103,807 | $264,390 |
| Temporarily restricted | $45,849 | $53,338 | $43,670 | $44,589 | $45,615 |
| Permanently restricted | $61,807 | $61,807 | $61,807 | $61,807 | $61,807 |
| Net assets | $507,912 | $748,154 | $846,200 | $210,203 | $371,812 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Total contributions | $218,749 | $155,295 | $173,894 | $267,939 | $456,420 |
| Program service revenue | $373,092 | $427,861 | $518,636 | $597,380 | $668,173 |
| Membership dues | $53,516 | $80,012 | $99,217 | $119,320 | $139,502 |
| Investment income | $20,503 | ($1,070) | ($2,491) | $67,194 | $15,096 |
| Other revenue | ($3,555) | $4,291 | $805,976 | $34,543 | $29,599 |
| Total other revenue | $443,556 | $511,094 | $1,421,338 | $818,437 | $852,370 |
| Total revenue | $662,305 | $666,389 | $1,595,232 | $1,086,376 | $1,308,790 |
| Expenses | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Program services | $575,972 | $473,277 | $542,250 | $694,276 | $964,968 |
| Management and general | $197,123 | $244,493 | $374,162 | $452,720 | $379,060 |
| Fundraising | $129,452 | $46,665 | $42,823 | $100,989 | $57,975 |
| Total expenses | $902,547 | $764,435 | $959,235 | $1,247,985 | $1,402,003 |
| Change in net assets | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($240,242) | ($98,046) | $635,997 | ($161,609) | ($93,213) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($240,242) | ($98,046) | $635,997 | ($161,609) | ($93,213) |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Pioneer Clubs started as a Girls' Guild in 1939. Over the years, the curriculum was revised to include multiple age divisions and materials for boys. Today the program encompasses two years olds through high school. Presently, approximately 3,700 churches in the US and Canada sponsor the club ministry.
Program accomplishments
Pioneer Clubs has reported that about 46% of Pioneer Clubs Churches reports growth in church attendance by Unchurched families due to their children participating in these clubs.