Joni and Friends/ Joni Eareckson Tada 
Summary
Joni and Friends' (JAF) goal is the advancement of Christian ministry within the disability community, matching the resources of the local church with the needs of people with disabilities. Founder and president, Joni Eareckson Tada, continues to head a worldwide team of staff and volunteers actively involved in assisting and training others in disability ministry. Joni and Friends provides a broad range of materials, outreach and training programs, equipping Christians to meet the needs of the disability community across the United States and around the world.
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 Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91301-1301
Website: www.joniandfriends.org
Phone: (818) 707-5664
Email: info@joniandfriends.org
Organization details
EIN: 953402002
CEO/President: John Nugent
Chairman: Peter Schulze
Board size: 15
Founder: Mrs. Joni Tada
Year founded: 1979
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1987
Purpose
Joni & Friends ("JAF"), is dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend. JAF's objective is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways.
JAF is committed to recruiting, training and motivating a new generation of people with disabilities to become leaders in their churches and communities. In addition, JAF seeks to equip and mobilize churches to carry out the work of disability ministry. JAF does this by providing churches with effective programs, training and materials.
From local neighborhoods to the far reaches of the world, JAF is striving to demonstrate to disabled people in tangible ways, that God has not abandoned them. JAF was founded by Joni Eareckson Tada
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
JAF Ministries' Mission Statement is:
To communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring Churches worldwide, and to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.
In doing this, the ministry:
- Evangelize people affected by disabilities and their families. We bring the ministry and the word of reconciliation to people affected by disabilities so that they might receive Christ as their Savior and become conformed to His image. Each relationship and program in which we engage is centered upon how it facilitates people knowing Christ better.
- Train, disciple, and mentor people affected by disabilities. There is great potential for leadership and service in the disability community. We seek to identify such people and equip them to be effective servants of Christ.
- Multiply disability effective churches. A disability effective church is one which has moved from a lack of awareness regarding people affected by disabilities to one which incorporates them into the fabric of the church's worship, fellowship, and outreach. Such churches also seek to influence and train other churches to become disability affective.
Statement of faith
JAF Ministries' Statement of Faith is:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Fellowship Evangelism
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 314 of 494 | 18 of 24 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 331 of 494 | 18 of 24 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 211 of 494 | 9 of 24 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 335 of 494 | 20 of 24 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 10% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 95% | 87% | 90% | 96% | 90% | 91% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 10% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 5% | 13% | 10% | 4% | 10% | 9% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 84% | 85% | 85% | 86% | 85% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 96% | 94% | 102% | 88% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 81% | 80% | 86% | 76% | 83% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 4% | 6% | -2% | 12% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 5% | 7% | -2% | 16% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.19 | 1.07 | 1.20 | 1.20 | 1.15 | 1.20 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.52 | 2.91 | 1.83 | 1.94 | 2.20 | 2.01 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.31 | 3.11 | 2.20 | 2.33 | 2.54 | 2.41 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.12 | 5.94 | 11.58 | 12.46 | 13.10 | 10.97 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.17 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.09 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.41 | 3.21 | 4.99 | 4.74 | 4.37 | 4.52 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 21% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 5% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 15% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 70% | 74% | 80% | 80% | 84% | 80% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Cash | $8,561,872 | $12,022,740 | $10,669,210 | $10,256,483 | $9,435,660 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,970,453 | $3,887,510 | $3,126,671 | $3,077,749 | $2,990,711 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $1,174,700 | $1,251,100 | $1,174,700 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $13,707,025 | $17,161,350 | $14,970,581 | $13,334,232 | $12,426,371 |
| Long-term investments | $4,528,930 | $3,669,209 | $3,032,861 | $4,669,710 | $752,033 |
| Fixed assets | $20,700,138 | $10,630,866 | $10,983,255 | $11,333,613 | $11,726,588 |
| Other long-term assets | $961,944 | $0 | $0 | $16,381 | $95,592 |
| Total long-term assets | $26,191,012 | $14,300,075 | $14,016,116 | $16,019,704 | $12,574,213 |
| Total assets | $39,898,037 | $31,461,425 | $28,986,697 | $29,353,936 | $25,000,584 |
| Liabilities | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,998,565 | $1,471,899 | $1,181,192 | $999,690 | $1,114,413 |
| Other current liabilities | $310,688 | $9,553 | $20,475 | $17,986 | $17,986 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,309,253 | $1,481,452 | $1,201,667 | $1,017,676 | $1,132,399 |
| Debt | $6,019,197 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $17,737 | $27,503 | $38,346 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $6,019,197 | $0 | $17,737 | $27,503 | $38,346 |
| Total liabilities | $8,328,450 | $1,481,452 | $1,219,404 | $1,045,179 | $1,170,745 |
| Net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Unrestricted | $20,312,567 | $19,721,788 | $17,955,128 | $19,463,563 | $16,259,150 |
| Temporarily restricted | $11,257,020 | $8,856,276 | $8,485,256 | $7,518,285 | $6,837,189 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $1,401,909 | $1,326,909 | $1,326,909 | $733,500 |
| Net assets | $31,569,587 | $29,979,973 | $27,767,293 | $28,308,757 | $23,829,839 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Total contributions | $38,421,070 | $35,936,674 | $32,791,255 | $34,283,866 | $27,956,432 |
| Program service revenue | $3,112,483 | $3,055,346 | $2,874,056 | $2,956,748 | $2,754,728 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,809,586 | $158,914 | ($1,601,406) | $639,900 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $917,784 | $733,229 | $216,846 | $408,681 | $67,636 |
| Total other revenue | $5,839,853 | $3,947,489 | $1,489,496 | $4,005,329 | $2,822,364 |
| Total revenue | $44,260,923 | $39,884,163 | $34,280,751 | $38,289,195 | $30,778,796 |
| Expenses | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Program services | $35,676,483 | $31,848,090 | $29,541,368 | $28,927,068 | $25,420,110 |
| Management and general | $3,241,953 | $2,352,112 | $2,284,809 | $1,855,029 | $1,679,717 |
| Fundraising | $3,752,873 | $3,471,281 | $2,996,038 | $3,028,180 | $2,856,607 |
| Total expenses | $42,671,309 | $37,671,483 | $34,822,215 | $33,810,277 | $29,956,434 |
| Change in net assets | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,589,614 | $2,212,680 | ($541,464) | $4,478,918 | $822,362 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,589,614 | $2,212,680 | ($541,464) | $4,478,918 | $822,362 |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
A diving accident in 1967 left Mrs. Tada a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, unable to use her hands. During two years of rehabilitation, she spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth. Her high detail fine art paintings and prints are sought after and collected.
Due to her best-selling books, beginning with her autobiography, Joni, as well as having visited 35 countries, Joni's first name is recognized around the world.
In 1979, World Wide Pictures' full-length feature film, JONI, in which Mrs. Tada recreated her own life, has been translated into 15 languages and shown in scores of countries around the world. The same year, Joni and Friends is established as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization.
Mrs. Tada's role as a disability advocate led to a presidential appointment to the National Council on Disability for three and a half years, during which time the Americans with Disabilities Act became law.
As a 501(c)(3) Christian organization, Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada to serve the one billion people affected by disability in the U.S. and around the world. Joni and Friends is based in Southern California and maintains 18 offices across the United States. Joni and Friends is an accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Program accomplishments
Since 1994, Joni and Friends Wheels for the World program has distributed over 150,000 wheelchairs to 105 countries; and we know of over 23,000 people who have accepted Christ as their Savior as a direct result of our evangelism during wheelchair distributions. In 2019, Joni and Friends anticipates distributing approximately 18,000 wheelchairs and Bibles around the world. God tells us that He 'rescues the weak and needy' (Psalm 82:4). Joni and Friends is devoted to demonstrating God's loving care for each individual wheelchair recipient. Working in partnership with local Christians, Joni and Friends provides a free wheelchair to children and adults affected by disability, presents a Bible in their native language, and shares the Gospel with entire families; bringing the hope of Christ to communities around the world.
Since 1991, Joni and Friends has hosted over 430 Family Retreats across the United States where over 30,000 volunteers have served over 14,000 families affected by disability. In 2019, Joni and Friends will serve over 140 families at 38 Family Retreats across the United States. Family Retreat offers a place where families share and learn together about disability-related issues. There are groups available just for men, women, and siblings in a family affected by disability. Family Retreat provides a safe and confidential environment to share feelings and concerns that often go unexpressed. Worship, Bible teaching, and rich fellowship provide the hope of the Gospel by guiding each family member toward a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Joni and Friends International Family Retreats began in 2004. Since then we have served over 2,000 families affected by disability in 90 countries. In 2019, Joni and Friends will host 39 International Family Retreats, serving over 400 families in 16 countries. The Joni and Friends International Family Retreats are modeled after our National Family Retreats, but are modified to reflect the culture of the host community. Through culturally relevant and sensitive International Family Retreats, families affected by disability find a safe place to receive Christian counsel, encouragement, information and resources to help with the daily challenges of life with a disability.
Joni and Friends Christian Institute on Disability is training and equipping students through our Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internship program. In 2019, Joni and Friends will train 86 interns in disability ministry through our Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internship Program. The Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internship Program is capturing the conscience and the heart of our nation's youth by putting them face-to-face and heart-to-heart with people affected by disability worldwide. Using our Beyond Suffering curriculum and hands-on ministry experience, the Cause 4 Life Global Missions and Internship program is preparing the next generation of Christian leaders in disability ministry.
Needs
Volunteers
Joni and Friends is blessed by the partnership of thousands of volunteers each year. Our volunteers serve at Family Retreats, serving families affected by disability by offering friendship, encouragement, and support. Wheels for the World teams include volunteer physical and occupational therapists, mechanics, and support staff. Other volunteer opportunities are available by serving in our Home Office, area ministry offices, and other community outreach events throughout the year.