2020-11-16T14:32:23-06:00 2019-12-31 204193611 Batts Morrison Wales & Lee PA 801 North Orange Avenue Suite 800 Orlando FL 32801 990 2019-01-01 251298611 Ligonier Ministries Inc LIGO 4073334244 421 Ligonier Court Sanford FL 32771 Christopher Larson President 4073334244 2020-11-13 1 Michele M Wales P00428093 4077706000 2020-11-13 64.88.174.3 2020-11-13 16:39:13 ES P 935CACE8365413C0D76314017BD70661184C200E 51A1A11EF64F90AF98A15CD3EC558DC1E21109ED 2019 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z Christopher Larson 421 Ligonier Court Sanford FL 32771 27979302 0 X www.ligonier.org X 1975 PA Dissemination of information, instruction, and training on Reformed Christian doctrine. 11 7 163 280 0 0 23482184 21258232 1657095 1657573 6967733 196304 2490647 2746504 34597659 25858613 0 78032 0 0 9581778 11059354 0 0 2803309 12287978 12693763 21869756 23831149 12727903 2027464 53135830 54142799 9575811 8555316 43560019 45587483 X Dissemination of information, instruction, and training of individuals and the general public on Reformed Christian doctrine. 0 0 18034644 78032 4518488 Promotion of Christian theological education and scholarship through the establishment and operation of the following activities:Educational Broadcasting - The Organization produces and broadcasts audio and video biblical and theological lectures, sermons, and interviews over terrestrial radio airwaves, digital satellite signals, and streaming through podcasts and various online channels and web properties. During 2019, the Organization broadcasted through purchased airtime from 107 paid and 111 free terrestrial radio stations with 179 additional transmitter signals and 1 satellite radio network. Videos air on NRBTV (DIRECTV Channel 378) and are also available via Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime. The Organization also hosted 8 podcast channels, which aired 729 episodes and saw 14.9 million downloads, and released a new podcast. Our podcasts are currently available on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Music, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Tune In, Stitcher, Amazon Alexa, and Pandora.Educational Materials - The Organization develops and produces print, audio, and video biblical and theological educational materials. Printed theological and educational materials from Reformation Trust are available in various formats (paperback, hardcover, special editions), and many are being translated into several languages. Charitable outreaches help make these materials available in U.S. prisons, on military bases, and across Africa.Monthly Magazine - The Organization prints and distributes approximately 100,000 copies of Tabletalk magazine each month. Tabletalk includes a Bible study for each day and thought-provoking articles from well-known Reformed scholars. TabletalkMagazine.com provides subscribers with digital access to the print edition, as well as additional online-only content.Educational Conferences - The Organization provides face-to-face biblical and theological instruction with prominent speakers at various venues. During 2019, the Organization conducted 4 major conferences, 17 smaller leadership conferences, and 3 study tours/cruises where a variety of speakers provided educational lectures. The Organization also hosted 5 live online events. Over 11,000 individuals attended in-person events, and over 32 million people were reached via social media.Online Learning - The Organization provides daily biblical and theological videos, audio content, articles, and columns through Ligonier.org. In 2019, 8.4 million unique users accessed 51 million pages of content. In addition, the Organization provides more than 75 interactive video courses taught by trusted teachers through its online learning platform, Ligonier Connect. Ligonier Connect offers non-degree certificates, primarily serving laypeople. Courses are accessible through an internet browser and Apple and Android apps. 65,331 people participated in the Ligonier Connect courses. The Organization also provides an online biblical and theological chat service, Ask Ligonier, which has answered 10,000+ questions. 18034644 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 119 0 1 163 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 11 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AK FL GA KY MD MI MN MS NH NJ PA TN UT VA WA WV WI CO HI ND SC DC NV X X Diane Berry 4073334244 421 Ligonier Court Sanford FL 32771 Dr W Robert Godfrey Chairman/Dir/Teaching Fellow 7.00 1.00 X X 80500 0 0 Vesta Sproul Director 40.00 5.00 X 97136 0 13285 James Campisi Director 1.00 2.00 X 0 0 0 Pat Dizney Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gregory Miseyko Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 David Stoltzfus Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dr Steven Lawson Director 11.00 1.00 X 250 0 0 Sherrie Sproul Dorotiak Director/Sr. Adv. Off. 40.00 0.00 X 105141 0 14212 Dr Sinclair Ferguson Director/Teaching Fellow 11.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dr William K Harper Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bob Downie Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Christopher Larson President 40.00 6.00 X 271004 0 40018 James Moore VP of Operations/Secretary 40.00 6.00 X 162052 0 10393 Diane Berry Dir of Finance/Treasurer 40.00 6.00 X 128465 0 29463 James D Bridges VP of Global Outreach 40.00 0.00 X 152415 0 34155 Lee Webb VP of Broadcasting 40.00 0.00 X 134819 0 23087 John Petersen Sr. Director of Advancement 40.00 0.00 X 147434 0 15197 Dirk Naves Chief Creative Officer 40.00 0.00 X 148209 0 41261 John Cobb VP of Strategic Initiatives 40.00 0.00 X 129403 0 31814 Burk Parsons Chief Publishing Officer 40.00 0.00 X 129493 0 6816 1686321 0 259701 15 0 1 0 Jack Jennings & Sons Inc 1030 Wilfred Dr Orlando FL 32803 Development of Learning Center 4704521 Impact Proven Solutions 4600 Lyndale Ave N Minneapolis MN 554121405 Printing and shipping services 1332335 LSC Communications PO Box 531840 Atlanta GA 303531840 Printing services 1187062 Abbott Communications Group 110 Atlantic Dr Maitland FL 32751 Printing services 719069 Facebook Inc 1601 Willow Rd Menlo Park CA 64025 Advertising services 572896 32 87700 21170532 2098142 21258232 Conference fees 611600 1015419 1015419 Ligonier Connect tuition 611600 608143 608143 Registration fees 611600 34011 34011 1657573 196304 196304 117375 117375 0 87700 231786 -231786 -231786 4623378 1888903 2734475 2734475 Miscellaneous Income 900099 126440 126440 126440 25858613 4518488 0 81893 X 78032 78032 1138489 893218 130647 114624 430996 341003 54675 35318 9335776 7443343 1197658 694775 154093 126663 17991 9439 164745 164745 56000 56000 1969885 1382522 389110 198253 1036572 1035852 720 2981631 1837671 84592 1059368 1002011 261721 708846 31444 191293 191293 904651 651441 216834 36376 1363456 1133589 59047 170820 59483 59483 1023059 971606 19757 31696 Radio/Airtime 886593 886593 Publications & printing 825479 437832 387647 Religious media distrib 471058 414727 56331 Miscellaneous 417847 187538 193811 36498 -660000 -240000 -360000 -60000 23831149 18034644 2993196 2803309 X 163545 136282 0 27263 X 12067749 8776088 286474 355017 1583737 1275396 384457 349563 42252289 11978020 23325019 30274269 6398785 1074956 9089609 12037510 53135830 54142799 2787646 2194571 1550231 1815057 3750868 3199139 1487066 1346549 9575811 8555316 X 39328168 43038254 4231851 2549229 43560019 45587483 53135830 54142799 2027464 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 19156250 18786013 22673644 23482184 21258232 105356323 19156250 18786013 22673644 23482184 21258232 105356323 105356323 293972 125094 172686 186525 313679 1091956 53772 25128 4000200 4079100 110527379 26296853 0.95320 0.95180 X Part II, Section B, Line 10: Other income includes miscellaneous income. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 0 0 3888569 3888569 11333327 2674817 8658510 12548384 8670419 3877965 14482009 632784 13849225 30274269 Website development 1088842 Other assets 78371 Due from Ligonier Academy 8965118 Intellectual property (RS) 1687066 Due from Ligonier Canada 218113 12037510 Obligation under intellectual property rights agreement (RS) 1346549 1346549 Part V, Line 4: During 2019, the endowment fund restriction was released by the original donor and the endowment funds were utilized by the Organization for its current program activities. 0 Europe (Including Iceland & Greenland) 0 0 Program Services Study tours in London, Conference in London 372509 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Grants to Recipients Located in Region 78032 North America 0 0 Program Services Conference in Canada 79540 0 0 0 0 0 0 530081 0 530081 Sub-Saharan Africa Distribution of Study Bibles 78032 Study Bibles Book 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Part I, line 3: The method used to account for program service expenditures is based on the actual amount of funds expended. The expenditures also include costs related to the travel and services of Organization personnel who were responsible for the oversight of the program activity in the specific region. Part III Accounting Method: Part I, Line 3, Column (e): English Reformation Study Tour:(9/29 - 10/5) The English Reformation Study Tour was a tour that visited key locations of religious and historic significance. This tour was organized to deepen participants' knowledge of 16th century Christians and their role in spreading the Gospel in England. Participants engaged in a dedicated teaching and Bible study with the Ministry's teaching fellows, which was enhanced by excursions to places of religious significance in the Reformed Theological tradition. Additional instruction and commentary were provided to the participants during these excursions, and Ministry personnel were available to the participants throughout the tour to discuss the theological significance of the areas visited and to answer specific questions. In addition to religious education and Bible study, the tours provided the Ministry with a unique and personal setting to present emerging Ministry objectives and future initiatives to donors. TIEP London (10/7), and Cardiff (10/8) These two events were designed for pastors, Bible teachers, and church leaders who desire to grow in their ability to exposit and explain the Word of God. The goal of these events was to equip and energize a new generation of biblical expositors. This was a concentrated training opportunity to be instructed in biblical exposition and preaching. In London, the conference speakers specifically taught through the meaning, marks, models, and mechanics of expository preaching. In Cardiff, the topic of discussion was on each of the necessary distinctions of the evangelistic preaching of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. London Conference (9/27-28) The Organization's regional conference titled, "The Light of the World" was held in Westminster, London in September 2019. The conference featured distinguished speakers including Alistair Begg, Mark Johnston, and Drs. Sinclair Ferguson, Albert Mohler, Burk Parsons, and Michael Reeves who considered core truths of the Christian faith and how these essential truths equip believers to shine as lights in a dark world. The Organization believes that Christians are to be a light of the world, for Jesus Christ has redeemed His light to shine in our hearts so that we might shine forth in the darkness ourselves. The 2-day conference included six teaching sessions and one question and answer session with the speakers of the event. Southern Ontario Conference (11/8-9) The Organization's regional conference titled, "Truth in a Truthless Age" was held in Ontario, Canada in November 2019. The conference featured distinguished speakers, Tim Challies, Drs. W. Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Albert Mohler, and Burk Parsons who addressed the importance of truth, the content of revealed truth, and how truth manifests itself in the lives of Christians. The Organization believes that Christianity is not simply one truth among many. Rather, Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can know the Father except through Him (John 14:6). However, in this truth-denying age, Christians sometimes find it difficult to stand for the truth or to know how to present and defend it in a culture that denies its existence. The 2-day conference included five teaching sessions, one-panel discussion, and one question and answer session with the speakers of the event. African Bibles - Mission Outreach In 2019, thousands of study Bibles were sent to Africa in partnership with the US-based Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation (RJBF). RJBF distributes the Bibles to seminaries, colleges, and pastors in several different African countries. No audits or field evaluations are currently being performed by Ligonier; emails and photographs forwarded by RJBF throughout the year from several recipients provided credible testimony and support to-date. Baton Rouge Donor Dinner 51000 51000 856 13150 231 Reformation Circle 35000 35000 7816 17478 62789 0 9 1700 1700 0 5766 34805 66039 22856 87700 87700 14438 52283 141978 23087 231786 -231786 Schedule G, Part II: The events held were hosted for the Organization's Ministry Partners as a token of appreciation for their previous support of the Organization. The purpose of the events are to provide updates to attendees on the Organization's program activities and to inform attendees of new activities and initiatives. Attendees are invited at the discretion of the Organization, and there is no charge to attend the event. There is no expectation by the attendees that a contribution is required in order to attend the event. Any donations received from attendees at the event are completely voluntary and are given without receiving or expecting to receive goods or services in exchange for the payment, and therefore are treated as contributions by the Organization. In addition to the contributions that are raised at each of the above events (and that are reported on this Schedule G), attendees often become regular contributors to the Organization throughout the year as a result of the information that they receive at these events. X X 1 1 X X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Christopher Larson President 267949 0 2515 0 540 0 11568 0 28449 0 311021 0 0 0 James Moore VP of Operations/Secretary 157941 0 2775 0 1336 0 6811 0 3582 0 172445 0 0 0 Diane Berry Dir of Finance/Treasurer 123854 0 2924 0 1687 0 5740 0 23723 0 157928 0 0 0 James D Bridges VP of Global Outreach 149333 0 2760 0 322 0 6434 0 27721 0 186570 0 0 0 Lee Webb VP of Broadcasting 130252 0 2119 0 2448 0 5837 0 17250 0 157906 0 0 0 John Petersen Sr. Director of Advancement 144121 0 2709 0 604 0 6173 0 9025 0 162632 0 0 0 Dirk Naves Chief Creative Officer 143509 0 4424 0 276 0 5997 0 35263 0 189469 0 0 0 John Cobb VP of Strategic Initiatives 126597 0 2540 0 266 0 4347 0 27466 0 161216 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I: The Organization's executive expense reimbursement policy permits a limited number of senior members of its executive staff to utilize "first class" seating for air travel when the cost of doing so is economically reasonable in order to accommodate the special physical needs of the individuals and to permit such individuals to productively utilize air travel time to perform work for the Organization's ministry activities. When possible, the Organization utilizes frequent flyer miles/points to obtain an upgrade to first class seating. The Organization would prefer "business class" flight accommodations for such purposes; however, domestic air carriers do not generally offer business class. The Organization's Board of Directors considers the selective utilization of such accommodations to be good stewardship of the Organization's resources, as loss of productive work time would be costly for the Organization. The Organization occasionally provides travel for spouses where such travel serves a bona fide business purpose of the Organization. Schedule J, Part II: See Schedule O for a detailed description of the process used to set the compensation for the Organization's officers and directors. Sherrie Sproul Dorotiak Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir. and Vesta Sproul, Dir. 105141 Employment 0 Dr RC Sproul Jr Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir and Vesta Sproul, Dir 57960 Payment as an independent contractor until June of 2019 and no longer serves Ligonier Ministries in any capacity. 0 Vesta Sproul Director, Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir. 33736 Royalties 0 Vesta Sproul Director, Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir. 200000 Royalties paid under IP agreement 0 Ryan Dick Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir and Vesta Sproul, Dir 12000 Employment 0 John Cobb Family member of Dr. Robert C. Sproul, Former Dir and Vesta Sproul, Dir 129403 Employment 0 Angeline Moore Family member of James Moore, officer 126492 Employment 0 Schedule L, Part IV, Business Transactions - Royalties paid to Vesta Sproul The Organization is party to several licensing agreements with the Organization's former chairman, late Dr. R.C. Sproul, related to its publishing activities. The Organization makes payments to Vesta Sproul for the aforementioned licensing agreements. Under terms of the former Chairman's royalty agreements, the Organization makes annual royalty payments ranging from 10% to 12% of related net sales of the published items. In connection with these agreements, the Organization paid $33,736 during 2019. As of December 31, 2019, $33,830 of short-term royalties were payable to Vesta Sproul. Such royalties are typically paid within 60 days of year-end (to allow time for the Organization to calculate the amount due) and are included in accrued expenses at Part X, Line 17.The Organization has similar agreements in place with a number of unrelated parties. The royalty percentages made under terms of the former Chairman's royalty agreements are significantly lower than the percentages paid by the Organization to unrelated parties pursuant to similar agreements. The payments made under terms of the former Chairman's royalty agreements with the Organization are significantly less than those made pursuant to terms offered to the former Chairman under comparable industry royalty agreements from nonaffiliated publishers.In 2009, the Ministry entered into a license agreement ("the Agreement") with its founder, the late Dr. R.C. Sproul. The agreement provides the Ministry with rights to certain intellectual property created by Dr. Sproul. The Ministry considers the intellectual property acquired pursuant to the agreement to be essential to the Ministry's ongoing operations and activities. The Ministry's interest in the intellectual property rights vested as of 2018, after Dr. Sproul's passing and pursuant to the terms of the agreement. In connection with the agreement, the Ministry will make annual payments to the R.C. Sproul Credit Shelter Trust which will total $2,000,000 over the period from 2018 to 2027. During 2018, the Ministry recognized an asset related to the intellectual property rights and an initial liability of $1,687,066, the amount of the net present value of the expected payments as of the effective date of the vesting of the intellectual property rights. Management's determination that the carrying value as of December 31, 2019 is appropriate, is based on expectations regarding the Ministry's future revenues in connection with the use of the intellectual property, and is supported by an independent appraisal of the value of the intellectual property performed as of November 2018.The liability related to the intellectual property agreement is reported as "obligation under intellectual property rights agreement (RS)" on Form 990, Part X, Line 25. The asset related to the intellectual property agreement is reported as "Intellectual Property (RS)" on Form 990, Part X, Line 15. X 4 4950 Cost X 213600 Fair market value X 2 1759592 Fair market value X Sculpture 1 120000 Appraisal value 0 0 1 0 Part I, Column (b): The Organization is reporting in Part I, column (b), the number of contributions received. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The Organization's top management official and top financial official each review the Form 990 prior to its filing with the IRS. A copy of the final Form 990 is also provided to the voting members of the Organization's governing body prior to its filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Organization's conflict of interest policy is distributed to each member of the Organization's governing body, its officers, and its key employees on an annual basis. Each such individual provides an annual disclosure statement indicating that they have received, read, understood, and agreed to comply with the policy, and certifying that: (1) they have no relationships or interests that present a conflict of interest, (2) they have one or more conflicts of interest that have been fully disclosed as required by the policy and have been properly administered in conformity with the policy, or (3) they have previously undisclosed conflicts of interest and disclosing the details of such conflicts. Any disclosure statements with previously undisclosed conflicts of interest are forwarded to appropriate Organization officials to take appropriate actions as required by the policy. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The Organization's compensation-setting policy requires that an independent committee of the Board of Directors determine the compensation package of all officers and directors of the Organization. In addition, the independent committee of the Board of Directors reviews the salary levels of all employees who are family members of any officer or director, and, in the event that a family member employee is paid more than other individuals with similar positions within the Organization, the independent committee of the Board of Directors determines the compensation of that family member using the same compensation-setting procedures applicable to officers and directors. The independent committee of the Board of Directors considers, in setting such compensation, a compensation study by special legal counsel with expertise in the area of reasonable compensation for nonprofit executives, utilizing data regarding compensation paid to persons serving in similar capacities in comparable organizations as well as national compensation data such as that published by The Church Network, the Christian Management Association, and Guidestar. These compensation studies are performed periodically, with the most recent study performed during the 2017 tax year. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Organization makes its financial statements and its Form 990 available to the public through the Organization's website. Financial statements, Form 990, and governing documents are available by mail upon request. Form 990, Part VI: An audit of the Organization's financial statements is conducted annually by an independent certified public accounting firm, which has resulted in the issuance of an unqualified opinion. In addition, the Organization is a fully accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and, as such, subscribes to ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship addressing: (1) operation in conformity with the Organization's evangelical Christian doctrinal statement, (2) oversight by a Board of Directors, the majority of which are independent, (3) submission of complete, accurate, audited financial statements, (4) proper management and financial controls over the use of the Organization's resources, (5) public availability of the Organization's current financial statements upon written request, (6) avoidance of conflicts of interest, and (7) responsible, truthful fund-raising practices. Form 990, Part IX, Line 24e The amounts reported on line 24e relate to reimbursements from a related organization under certain administrative services and lease agreements. Form 990, Part IX, Line 26 - Joint Costs: The amounts reported on line 26 relate to the allocation of web hosting expenses for the Ministry's website, Ligonier.org. The Ministry's website is one of the Ministry's primary vehicles for disseminating information, instruction, and training on Reformed Christian doctrine, as further described in the response to Part III, Line 4a (Online Learning). The Ministry has conservatively estimated that approximately 83% of the website's content is program-related, and approximately 17% is fundraising-related. The Ministry's web hosting expenses have therefore been allocated accordingly. Form 990, Part X, Line 17, Accounts payable and accrued expenses: The Organization is party to several licensing agreements with certain Board members related to its publishing activities, requiring the Organization to make annual royalty payments related to the sales of published items. The Organization has similar agreements in place with a number of unrelated parties. Royalties related to current-year sales of published items are estimated and accrued by the Organization at year-end. Accrued royalties are typically paid within 60 days of the Organization's year-end once final sales information for the published items is available. Accrued royalties payable to these Board members are generated in the ordinary course of the Organization's publishing activities under similar terms as those payable to other unrelated authors. As of December 31, 2019, the following accrued royalties payable to Board members were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses: Vesta Sproul: $33,830 Dr. Steven Lawson: $7,518 Robert Godfrey: $5,400 Part X, Line 25, Other Liabilities: The Ministry has entered into a license agreement with the founder of the ministry. As a result of the aforementioned licensing agreement the initial carrying value, less any payments made during the year, is included in other liabilities. Please see Schedule L, Part V for more information. Part X, Line 15, Other Assets: The Ministry has entered into a license agreement with the founder of the ministry. As a result of the aforementioned licensing agreement the net present value of the intellectual property is included in other assets. Please see Schedule L, Part V for more information. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c: The Organization's Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, assumes responsibility for the oversight of the audit of its financial statements and the selection of an independent accountant. Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies Inc 465 Ligonier Court Sanford FL 32771 463103295 Educational instruction based on Reformed Christian doctrine FL 501(c)(3) Line 2 Ligonier Ministries Inc 1 Ligonier Property Holdings Inc 421 Ligonier Court Sanford FL 32771 465351003 Real estate holding and management FL 501(c)(3) Line 12a, I Ligonier Ministries Inc 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies Inc D 8965118 Ending balance due from affiliate Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies Inc Q 660000 Amount reimbursed Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies Inc R 1070000 Amt of actual cash advances made Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies Inc S 250000 Amt of Payments on cash advances