Missionary Agency Equipnet Triples in Size
The agency helps 750 independent missionaries with technical and donor support
Started in 2000 by a former missionary, Equipnet has tripled its revenue since 2017 from $2 million to over $6 million. It provides independent missionaries and small missions agencies with technology and donor services.
A non-profit ministry designed to “lift the burdens of administration, legal and tax issues off of the missionary,” Equipnet fills a niche for independent missionaries who already have training, experience, and strong accountability structures in place, but lack the services offered by more traditional missionary agencies.
Originally a private foundation, Bob Norsworthy founded Equipnet as an “incubator for Kingdom projects and ministry start-ups.” It became a nonprofit ministry in 2001.
Now it describes itself as “a team of seasoned leaders who use their God given resources to empower innovators, who specialize in developing and unleashing Christian transformation through business, government, education, science and technology, arts & communication, the family, the local church, and missions.”
However, when MinistryWatch reached out to ask a few questions about its model of ministry for accomplishing these goals, Equipnet declined to answer our questions.
Equipnet serves 750 missionaries, 35 smaller missions organizations, and over 25,000 donors around the world, according to its website. It provides a platform for donors to learn more about the missionary or mission organization and then make a one-time or recurring donation.
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On its website, missionaries attest to the ease of joining and using Equipnet. “It’s the best tool for fundraising that I’ve ever had,” said one missionary in the video.
In order to join, a missionary must meet four criteria: a testimony of faith and belief in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life; a ministry work to advance the Kingdom of God; accountability structure in place; and character references from spiritual leaders.
On its website, Equipnet boasts of keeping its administrative fees to 5%, contrasting itself to other Christian non-profits it says have fees ranging from 12% to sometimes 21%.
As president and CEO of Equipnet, Norsworthy has a reported base salary of $40,000 a year, but receives $135,736 in nontaxable benefits for a total compensation package of $175,736.
His LinkedIn profile says he engages in nonprofit leadership consulting, specializing in areas such as strategic planning, executive coaching, and social entrepreneurship.
In the MinistryWatch database, Equipnet receives a 75 out of 100 donor confidence score, a five-star financial efficiency rating, and a “D” transparency grade because it does not belong to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability nor does it publish audited financial statements on its website.
Main photo: Video screenshot
