American Family Association, Inc./ Don Wildmon 
Summary
Founded in 1977 by Don Wildmon, the American Family Association, Inc. ("AFA") focuses its efforts on bolstering traditional family values and decreasing the deleterious influence of television and other media - including pornography - on our society. AFA believes that the entertainment industry, through its various products, has played a major role in the decline of the values that are the bedrock of our country and that maintain strong, healthy families. AFA believes in holding the companies that sponsor programs attacking traditional family values accountable. AFA also believes in commending those companies that act responsibly regarding programs they support. AFA supporters receive a monthly letter about a specific issue with a recommended action such as sending a postcard or making a phone call. This organization 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).
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Drawer 2440
Tupelo, MS 38803-2440
Website: www.afa.net
Phone: (662) 844-5036
Email: contacts@afa.net
Organization details
EIN: 640607275
CEO/President: Mr. Tim Wildmon
Chairman: Gayle Alexander
Board size: 10
Founder: Dr. Don Wildmon
Year founded: 1977
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1988
Purpose
Founded in 1977 by Don Wildmon, the American Family Association, Inc. ("AFA") focuses its efforts on bolstering traditional family values and decreasing the deleterious influence of television and other media - including pornography - on our society. AFA believes that the entertainment industry, through its various products, has played a major role in the decline of the values that are the bedrock of our country and that maintain strong, healthy families. Over the last 20 years, the entertainment industry has normalized and glorified premarital sex, and teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and abortions have become normal.
AFA believes in holding the companies that sponsor programs attacking traditional family values accountable. AFA also believes in commending those companies that act responsibly regarding programs they support. AFA supporters receive a monthly letter about a specific issue with a recommended action such as sending a postcard or making a phone call. In addition, supporters receive the AFA Journal with news on various moral and family issues.
This organization 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).
Mission statement
American Family Association uses the following to express its mission:
The American Family Association exists to motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth.
Statement of faith
The American Family Association uses the following to communicate its faith:
The American Family Association believes that God has communicated absolute truth to man through the Bible, and that all men everywhere at all times are subject to the authority of God's Word. Therefore, a culture based on Biblical truth best serves the well being of our country, in accordance with the vision of our founding fathers.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Advocacy
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 278 of 585 | 16 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 302 of 585 | 15 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 199 of 585 | 11 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 378 of 585 | 28 of 32 |
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% | 8% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 3% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 85% | 96% | 95% | 89% | 92% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 15% | 4% | 5% | 11% | 8% |
| 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% | 90% | 90% | 91% | 93% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 91% | 94% | 99% | 109% | 94% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 78% | 85% | 89% | 99% | 88% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 9% | 6% | 1% | -9% | 6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 6% | 4% | 1% | -6% | 6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| 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 | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.55 | 0.58 | 0.81 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.69 | 1.43 | 1.52 | 1.65 | 1.76 | 1.78 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 0.72 | 0.77 | 0.91 | 1.02 | 1.44 |
| 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 | 25.85 | 30.52 | 26.40 | 18.47 | 24.37 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 15.92 | 15.10 | 12.75 | 11.11 | 8.00 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 18% | 17% | 17% | 16% | 13% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 75% | 162% | 163% | 152% | 145% | 108% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $16,912,018 | $15,787,272 | $15,622,961 | $16,574,002 | $12,602,731 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,968,990 | $2,462,462 | $1,604,337 | $1,406,352 | $2,320,447 |
| Short-term investments | $8,152,191 | $5,497,067 | $3,604,889 | $1,179,416 | $4,498,935 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $27,033,199 | $23,746,801 | $20,832,187 | $19,159,770 | $19,422,113 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $10,794,585 | $12,003,144 | $13,283,165 | $14,573,983 | $15,191,413 |
| Other long-term assets | $865,403 | $261,492 | $246,356 | $16,647 | $16,434 |
| Total long-term assets | $11,659,988 | $12,264,636 | $13,529,521 | $14,590,630 | $15,207,847 |
| Total assets | $38,693,187 | $36,011,437 | $34,361,708 | $33,750,400 | $34,629,960 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,045,837 | $778,034 | $789,206 | $1,037,439 | $797,056 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,045,837 | $778,034 | $789,206 | $1,037,439 | $797,056 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $5,972,023 | $5,448,667 | $4,889,311 | $4,237,383 | $3,705,343 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $5,972,023 | $5,448,667 | $4,889,311 | $4,237,383 | $3,705,343 |
| Total liabilities | $7,017,860 | $6,226,701 | $5,678,517 | $5,274,822 | $4,502,399 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $31,494,033 | $29,784,736 | $28,683,191 | $28,475,578 | $30,127,561 |
| Temporarily restricted | $181,294 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $31,675,327 | $29,784,736 | $28,683,191 | $28,475,578 | $30,127,561 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $18,262,534 | $18,563,240 | $18,030,678 | $16,017,316 | $27,387,727 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $217,681 | $94,093 | $78,629 | $497,835 | $154,535 |
| Other revenue | $3,000,773 | $701,854 | $959,086 | $1,411,329 | $2,248,095 |
| Total other revenue | $3,218,454 | $795,947 | $1,037,715 | $1,909,164 | $2,402,630 |
| Total revenue | $21,480,988 | $19,359,187 | $19,068,393 | $17,926,480 | $29,790,357 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $16,776,228 | $16,369,577 | $17,004,520 | $17,733,494 | $26,098,022 |
| Management and general | $1,416,525 | $943,526 | $921,876 | $916,486 | $932,950 |
| Fundraising | $1,399,252 | $944,539 | $934,384 | $928,483 | $911,487 |
| Total expenses | $19,592,005 | $18,257,642 | $18,860,780 | $19,578,463 | $27,942,459 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,888,983 | $1,101,545 | $207,613 | ($1,651,983) | $1,847,898 |
| Other changes in net assets | $1,608 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,890,591 | $1,101,545 | $207,613 | ($1,651,983) | $1,847,898 |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Donald E. Wildmon, an ordained United Methodist minister who earned his Master of Divinity from Emory College in 1965, founded the National Federation for Decency in 1977. The National Federation for Decency became the American Family Association (AFA) in 1988.
Since Don and his wife Lynda have four children and five grandchildren, they know first-hand the battle parents face in teaching their families traditional moral values. Don tells in his own words how AFA was founded:
"One evening in 1977 I sat down with my family to watch TV. On one channel was adultery, on another cursing, on another a man beating another over the head with a hammer. I asked the children to turn off the TV. I sat there, got angry, and said, 'If they're going to bring this into my home, I'm going to do all I can to change it."
"I brooded for a while and then came up with a plan for our church to turn off the TV for a week. I sent out a press release and the national media picked up on it.
Through that 'Turn off the TV Week' I learned there were literally millions of other people around the country who felt the same way I did. That was the beginning of the American Family Association."
Program accomplishments
- AFA has built and maintains a nationwide Christian radio network. The network provides Christian programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Included in this programming is a five-minute, around the clock, newscast provided by the American Family Radio (AFR) radio news staff.
- AFA publishes the AFA Journal with an average circulation of almost 200,000, making it one of the most widely circulated publications of its kind in America. The journal contains addresses, phone numbers, etc, and is filled with vital information and action suggestions.
- AFA continues efforts to end television's exploitation of sex, violence, profanity, and anti-Christian bigotry.
- AFA is involved with promotion of the annual, national Pornography Awareness Week by supplying resources to pastors and churches.
- AFA also sponsors and promotes the national "Meet at City Hall" project on the national Day of Prayer.
Needs
The American Family Association requests the following:
(1) Pray daily for their ministry and our country.
(2) Get informed. Sign up to their mailing list (e-mail and regular). AFA will keep you become informed on the battles going on, as well as how you can help.
(3) Consider starting a local AFA Affiliate to "fight the good fight" in your own back yard. AFA will help you to be effective on the local level.
(4) Consider making a financial gift.