MinistryWatch’s List of “Shining Light” Christian Ministries
The top-rated ministries in our database.
At the end of each year, MinistryWatch publishes a list highlighting those ministries in our MinistryWatch 1000 Database that are what we call “Shining Lights.”
According to Matthew 5:16, Christians are to “let our lights shine so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.” We believe these ministries do just that.
Qualifiying as a MinistryWatch “Shining Light” means that a ministry must have earned the top scores in three categories: financial efficiency, transparency, and donor confidence.
“Shining Light” ministries must earn five stars in our Financial Efficiency rating system. The financial efficiency rating takes into account the ministry’s use of resources, including its fundraising, investing, operations, and solvency.
To be a “Shining Light,” a ministry also must receive an “A” Transparency Grade. This means it files a Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service, is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and publicly posts its audited financial statements.
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Finally, ministries that qualify as “Shining Lights” must have a Donor Confidence Score of 100. The donor confidence score is based on 20 questions, including matters related to governance, its statement of faith, and its use of nondisclosure agreements.
Because these criteria are so rigorous, only 18 of the more than 1000 ministries in our database qualified as “Shining Lights” for 2024. They are truly the best of the best when it comes to transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency.
This year’s list includes eight ministries that are new “Shining Lights.” Ten received the “Shining Light” designation last year.
We hope this list will serve as a guide to you as you approach your year-end giving. In other words, we hope you will support these ministries.
To read a longer explanation of our Donor Confidence Score, click here. To see how we determine the Transparency Grade, click here.
