Ministry Spotlight: Motor Racing Outreach
Nonprofit organization leaves the ECFA
Motor Racing Outreach recently resigned its membership from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, dropping the ministry from a high Donor Confidence Score of 92 to only 50. The score also dropped because MRO does not have audited financial statements posted on its website.
Members of the ECFA publicly commit to live up to the “Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship.” Membership with the ECFA holds ministries accountable to these standards and allows donors to gain a certain understanding about the ministry’s beliefs and financial practices.
Motor Racing Outreach is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1988 by founder, Max Helton. Helton was summoned by three drivers on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit to minister to the racers and their families, as they were rarely able to attend “normal” church services.
As MRO grew, a similar need was apparent in motorsports across the board, from automobiles to motorcycles to powerboats.
MRO now works closely with the racing community, racers, and fans by providing care, sharing knowledge, and through leadership development.
According to its Form 990, MRO’s fundraising expenses increased from 8% in 2023 to 19% in 2024. Additionally, its reserve accumulation rate dropped alarmingly from -19% in 2023 to -73% in 2024.
MRO’s total revenue and expenses have stayed relatively linear, with no major changes in the last five years. Total revenue was $1,551,966 in 2020 and $1,658,276 in 2024. Comparatively, total expenses were $1,285,668 in 2020 and $1,816,115 in 2024.
MinistryWatch made multiple attempts to contact Motor Racing Outreach. It did not respond.
Motor Racing Outreach has a D Transparency Grade—its Form 990 is publicly available, but it does not post audited financial statements, and it is not a member of the EFCA.
MinistryWatch Donor Confidence Score: 50 (out of a possible 100) “Exercise Caution”
MinistryWatch Financial Efficiency Rating: 2 Stars (out of a possible 5 Stars)
MinistryWatch Transparency Grade: D
ECFA Member? No
Revenue in Most Recent Year Available: $1,658,276
Five-Year Revenue Trend: Increasing (by about 7%)
Percent of Revenue Motor Racing Outreach Spends on Fundraising: 19%
Percent Peer Group Spends on Fundraising: 6%
CEO/President: Billy Mauldin Jr.
President’s Salary and Other Compensation: $165,916
A complete MinistryWatch profile for Motor Racing Outreach can be found here.
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