This week, the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association’s Transparency Grade dropped from an A to a C, because the organization does not post its audited financials or Form 990s on its website.
Scott Dawson at Strength to Stand 2024 / Video screenshot
The organization also lost points from its Donor Confidence Score because of its asset utilization. In 2022, the ministry had negative net assets, but in 2023 its assets jumped to $10.9 million.
Also in 2023, the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association’s (SDEA) revenue jumped from $4.8 million to $15.6 million.
That year, a commercial real estate firm in Alabama donated a $9.5-million building to SDEA “to start a ministry trade school for student pastors,” Scott Dawson, president of SDEA, told MinistryWatch. “This building was the major reason our revenue numbers increased. It wasn’t a ‘cash’ increase, but a ‘resource’ increase.”
The ministry is now using the building as the headquarters for its STS Institute, a training program for student pastors and worship leaders. “Our faculty of experienced pastors, worship leaders, and ministry experts will equip students with the fundamental classroom knowledge they need and the practical application of their education in a local church context,” its website says.
In addition to the STS Institute, the SDEA also executes a number of other ministry programs, including student conferences, an evangelism crusade, family nights with professional sports teams, and men’s conferences.
The organization’s total expenses in 2023 were $6.3 million, spending less than half of its revenue.
SDEA currently has 18 board members, outside of MinistryWatch’s recommended board number of “between 5 and 11.”
MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score: 71 (out of a possible 100) “Give With Confidence”
MinistryWatch Financial Efficiency Rating: 2 Stars (out of a possible 5 Stars)
MinistryWatch Transparency Grade: C
Revenue in Most Recent Year Available: $15,638,399
Five-Year Revenue Trend: Increasing (by 45%)
Percent of Revenue the SDEA on Fundraising: 3%
Percent Peer Group Spends on Fundraising: 6%
CEO/President: Scott Dawson
President’s Salary and Other Compensation: $224,667
A complete MinistryWatch profile for the SDEA can be found here.
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