Mission Aviation Fellowship 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/28/2020. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
Founded in 1945, MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is an interdenominational Christian ministry serving isolated and unreached people worldwide. MAF is an indispensable servant to other agencies and Christian organizations that are increasingly becoming indigenous. MAF brings the hope of Christ to those who languish in isolation and live under spiritual and physical oppression. Every day, MAF deploys a full range of aviation, communications, and distance education services to support and advance the Gospel and ministry efforts throughout Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America. MAF provides access to basic services such as healthcare, education, leadership development, skills training, crisis relief, and community development, services otherwise unavailable in remote and isolated regions. Around the world, MAF brings hope where there is despair, lifesaving assistance where there is suffering, and Christ's transforming love to millions.
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Box 47
112 N. Pilatus Lane (83687)
Nampa, ID 83653-0047
Website: www.maf.org
Phone: (208) 498-0800
Email: maf-us@maf.org
Organization details
EIN: 951920983
CEO/President: David Holsten
Chairman: J. David Grizzle
Board size: 15
Founder: Group of Christian aviators
Year founded: 1945
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1979
Purpose
To multiply the effectiveness of the Church using aviation and other strategic technologies that overcome barriers in reaching the world for Christ.
Mission statement
Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed.
Statement of faith
Mission Aviation Fellowship uses the following to communicate its values:
1. The divine inspiration of the Bible; that it is inerrant in the original writings, and is of supreme and final authority in faith and practice.
2. One God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. The creation of man in the divine image, man's subsequent fall through sin, resulting in universal guilt and total depravity; and the necessity, therefore, of redemption and restoration.
4. The deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, perfect life, redeeming death, bodily resurrection, heavenly intercession, and His personal return.
5. The personality of the Holy Spirit by Whose regenerative work sinful man is born again, and by Whose indwelling regenerate man is enabled to live a godly life.
6. The bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.
7. The spiritual unity of all believers as comprising the true Church, which has the duty to preach the Gospel to every creature.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Evangelism Support
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 823 of 844 | 47 of 48 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 811 of 844 | 45 of 48 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 640 of 844 | 35 of 48 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 786 of 844 | 45 of 48 |
Click here to read Mission Aviation Fellowship's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 17% | 18% | 19% | 20% | 16% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 15% | 12% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 97% | 78% | 75% | 68% | 71% | 74% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 14% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 3% | 22% | 25% | 32% | 29% | 26% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 78% | 77% | 76% | 75% | 75% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 94% | 100% | 94% | 102% | 86% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 81% | 74% | 77% | 71% | 77% | 65% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 6% | 0% | 6% | -2% | 14% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 4% | 0% | 4% | -1% | 9% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 10% | 7% | 9% | 10% | 11% | 11% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.34 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 0.47 | 0.50 | 0.48 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.28 | 3.91 | 4.07 | 3.92 | 4.24 | 4.17 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.17 | 1.97 | 2.00 | 1.85 | 2.10 | 2.02 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 19.99 | 6.39 | 5.87 | 7.58 | 4.46 | 5.97 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.04 | 0.16 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 0.22 | 0.17 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.13 | 5.13 | 4.98 | 5.63 | 4.42 | 4.96 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 5% | 16% | 15% | 14% | 17% | 16% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 69% | 167% | 173% | 182% | 168% | 175% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $9,611,310 | $14,146,124 | $15,225,676 | $12,626,894 | $13,984,861 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $7,030,907 | $6,650,802 | $6,933,338 | $7,637,911 | $6,688,675 |
| Short-term investments | $6,007,687 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $559,450 | $559,450 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $23,209,354 | $21,356,376 | $22,159,014 | $20,264,805 | $20,673,536 |
| Long-term investments | $1,281,395 | $3,549,053 | $3,822,373 | $3,494,853 | $3,266,231 |
| Fixed assets | $50,666,060 | $51,523,788 | $51,815,949 | $53,662,028 | $53,358,859 |
| Other long-term assets | $15,647,486 | $10,509,987 | $9,128,382 | $8,589,443 | $8,977,525 |
| Total long-term assets | $67,594,941 | $65,582,828 | $64,766,704 | $65,746,324 | $65,602,615 |
| Total assets | $90,804,295 | $86,939,204 | $86,925,718 | $86,011,129 | $86,276,151 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,068,960 | $2,703,016 | $2,136,881 | $2,188,884 | $2,104,670 |
| Other current liabilities | $563,274 | $937,462 | $787,175 | $2,358,729 | $1,357,389 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,632,234 | $3,640,478 | $2,924,056 | $4,547,613 | $3,462,059 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $10,477,242 | $9,303,881 | $9,513,155 | $9,705,095 | $10,058,700 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $10,477,242 | $9,303,881 | $9,513,155 | $9,705,095 | $10,058,700 |
| Total liabilities | $14,109,476 | $12,944,359 | $12,437,211 | $14,252,708 | $13,520,759 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $63,312,028 | $65,318,511 | $68,437,514 | $67,338,476 | $68,362,044 |
| Temporarily restricted | $12,438,802 | $7,817,083 | $5,089,622 | $3,521,089 | $3,561,857 |
| Permanently restricted | $943,989 | $859,251 | $961,371 | $898,856 | $831,491 |
| Net assets | $76,694,819 | $73,994,845 | $74,488,507 | $71,758,421 | $72,755,392 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $38,152,802 | $32,036,575 | $29,711,582 | $29,512,765 | $35,932,614 |
| Program service revenue | $10,180,933 | $10,735,688 | $12,958,751 | $12,119,694 | $12,434,131 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $95,302 | ($355) | $1,123,978 | $1,032,832 | ($30,032) |
| Other revenue | $427,406 | $63,129 | ($66,675) | ($1,017,350) | $145,873 |
| Total other revenue | $10,703,641 | $10,798,462 | $14,016,054 | $12,135,176 | $12,549,972 |
| Total revenue | $48,856,443 | $42,835,037 | $43,727,636 | $41,647,941 | $48,482,586 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $35,941,888 | $32,981,328 | $31,147,449 | $32,060,029 | $31,300,709 |
| Management and general | $3,357,647 | $3,998,910 | $4,163,725 | $4,536,264 | $4,505,333 |
| Fundraising | $6,493,231 | $5,712,865 | $5,686,376 | $6,048,619 | $5,866,728 |
| Total expenses | $45,792,766 | $42,693,103 | $40,997,550 | $42,644,912 | $41,672,770 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $3,063,677 | $141,934 | $2,730,086 | ($996,971) | $6,809,816 |
| Other changes in net assets | ($637,975) | $45,590 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $2,425,702 | $187,524 | $2,730,086 | ($996,971) | $6,809,816 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
MAF is a proven mission organization. Its unique and indispensable services multiply ministry efforts and deliver measurable impact through cost-effective operations.
However, the crucial ministry tools MAF uses are expensive to acquire and maintain: airplanes, aviation fuel, satellite technology, VPNs (virtual private networks) for secure communications, software and apps customized for ministry work, and HF/VHF radio networks.
In return, MAF supports every aspect of Christian ministry, from spreading the Gospel to feeding the hungry, healing the sick, caring for widows and orphans, and discipling believers. The mission organizations we serve defray only a portion of the costs. Indigenous people with little or no resources increasingly need our services, and in such cases MAF subsidizes costs.
Ministry Watch has given MAF a "C" transparency rating because we do not file a 990 form. However, as a church, MAF is not required to file this form. We are founding members of the ECFA and our audited financial statements are available to anyone who asks. Around the world, MAF has a solid reputation and is known for its integrity.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/28/2020. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
In the midst of World War II, God planted the seeds of the MAF's international ministry. While listening to the harrowing travel experiences of a missionary serving in Borneo, a small group of Christian aviators realized that they could go where missionaries seldom could venture, and in 1945 they organized Mission Aviation Fellowship.
MAF's founders couldn't have predicted the significant impact of MAF would have on the world. In 1946, Betty Greene, the first MAF pilot in the field, flew their Waco biplane on its first mission to Mexico. Missionary trips that had taken weeks in dugout canoes, on foot, and on the backs of donkeys were suddenly made in a matter of hours. Ventures that would have been impossible became commonplace. Although most take mission aviation for granted in this technological age, it is just as much of a miracle today as it was decades ago.
Due to MAF, missionaries are able to save months, and even years, over a lifetime of ministry. They and the people they minister to are no longer isolated. Health, communications, and ministry effectiveness have improved. And people are saved--both spiritually and physically--because of the wings of MAF. Today, MAF-US is part of an international fellowship of sister organizations serving in more than 37 countries worldwide.
Program accomplishments
MAF reaches the world's most isolated people with the love of Jesus using a fleet of 53 small airplanes. In 2015, the Mission Aviation Fellowship fleet executed 25,247 flights, transported 86,262 passengers, and delivered 8.4 million pounds of cargo to facilitate the work of churches, missionaries, medical teams, relief agencies, and others working to make life better for those in isolated areas.
More importantly, MAF saved its passengers 72,917 days of travel time, or 301 work years over the course of 12 months. This is time that can now be used more productively. MAF also provided communication and IT services to support the work of hundreds of Christian and relief organizations.
Needs
Get Involved
Joining MAF
MAF is looking for dedicated Christians. Do you have a heart for God and His work around the world? Are you willing to go the distance to share God's love; no matter what the barriers may be? Join us and use your God-given talents to help overcome barriers to the Gospel ... and transform lives! Visit mafrecruiting.org now!
Ministry Advocates
Ministry Advocates volunteer their time sharing the unique ministry of MAF. Ministry Advocates inform their own circle of friends, acquaintances, and churches about the physical and spiritual barriers that prevent the life-changing Word of God and the love of Jesus Christ from reaching isolated people. They share how the unique ministry of MAF overcomes these barriers to meet the needs of remote people. Ministry Advocates help motivate Christians, churches, and organizations to become involved.
Volunteers
Serve at MAF Headquarters in Nampa, ID. Volunteer your time for construction, administrative functions, childcare, tours, and more! Volunteer positions are also available oversees. For more information, visit www.maf.org or call (800) FLYS MAF (359-7623).
Donate online
Donate to MAF missionaries, the general fund & field programs, and more through our secure donation pages at www.maf.org. Use your credit card or checking account easily and securely!
Adopt a Missionary
MAF missionaries face a host of challenges--tropical diseases, homesickness, dangerous flying weather, separation from loved ones, and more. Take a moment to learn more about the staff ministering overseas as well as those who support the ministry programs from the MAF headquarters.
MAF Estate Design
Your planned gift to Mission Aviation Fellowship-US supports the work of Jesus Christ, ministering to human need throughout the world.
Other Ways to Give
Other ways that you can contribute to the ministry of MAF include Workplace Giving, Coffee Fellowships, and sending a donation by mail, fax, or by phone.