Way Media INC

IRS exemption revoked

Colorado Springs, COUnknown exempt organizationSince 1985 EIN 59-2659856Revenue $18.8M in FY2022

On file with the IRSwayfm.com4820 Centennial Blvd Suite 115 · Colorado Springs, CO

Claim this org

(tell your story, add context, and more)

What claiming does How does your 990 look to donors? Take the 10-Question Audit

Operate commerical and non-commercial WAY-FM Christian radio stations and a radio network

64¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 511 volunteers and 123 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2022 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
Revoked
IRS exemption revoked
Concern: the IRS revoked its tax exemption.
IRS Auto-Revocation List
Latest return
FY2022
latest Form 990
Worth a look: the latest return is for FY2022, 4 tax years back; more than 3 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
3 of 3
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $3.6M a year · 19% of revenue · last 3 filings
Looks good: a surplus in 3 of the last 3 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 3 filings
Spent on programs
64%
of spending
Worth a look: 64% of spending went to programs; under 65%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$1.7M
to officers and key staff · 12% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 12% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
Named funders
4
named funders · $32K
Looks good: 4 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$0
total owed
No data yet: the filing does not give total assets.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
8
of 9 voting members
Looks good: 8 of 9 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$18.8M
-3% vs prior year
Spent
$15.0M
To programs
64%
Net assets
$0
By yearFY2020–FY2022
Revenue
$18.8M
FY2022▼ -3%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$19.0M
FY2021$19.4M
FY2022$18.8M
Expenses
$15.0M
FY2022▼ -5%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$15.6M
FY2021$15.7M
FY2022$15.0M
Net assets
$0
FY2022▼ -100%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$18.0M
FY2021$21.7M
FY2022$0

From the FY2022 Form 990 (year ending May 2022) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

990 PDF Claim
IRS revoked this organization's tax-exempt status on October 15, 2025

Is it real?

No. The IRS revoked its tax exemption. Latest filing on record: FY2022.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

64 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 64% · $9.6M Management & general 23% · $3.5M Fundraising 13% · $1.9M

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

Something off? Claim to add context

Who runs it and what they're paid

18 people listed on the 990; $1.7M paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2021); the FY2022 filing did not itemize Part VII
Former CEO (former Officer)
$285,700Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Development Officer
$203,345Pt VII · Sec A
VP, Content
$200,250Pt VII · Sec A
Interim CEO/President
$196,105Pt VII · Sec A
VP, Broadcast Operations
$167,457Pt VII · Sec A
Morning Show Host
$161,082Pt VII · Sec A
Business Development Director
$150,853Pt VII · Sec A
Director, Underwriting & Sales
$137,105Pt VII · Sec A

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2022FY2021FY2020
John Scaggs$285,700$234,344$220,579
Billy J O'Neal$203,345$163,672$183,247
Ron Harrell$200,250——
Tim Dukes$196,105——
Tim Dukes - Interim CEO—$195,672—
Timothy Dukes——$183,436
James Marshall$167,457$148,340$139,877
Gary Wallace$161,082$155,296$149,784

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Way Media INC executive salaries →

On this list? Claim this org

Something off? Claim to add context

Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Broadcasts Christian music and messages on radio stations and a network.

Questions for Way Media INC

Tap to ask. Way Media INC sees how many people are interested.

Your first name shows with your question. Way Media INC answers here, for everyone.

Provided by the organization

Know this org? Add your story

1 program · $9.6M · in their own filed words · FY2021
01

Life can be overwhelming, and most people have a hard time finding a source of encouragement and hope. At WayFM, we point people to Jesus with meaningful music and honest conversation so they can experience strength and joy during life's challenges.

$9.6Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2024
See all 4 funders →
Grants paid · 4 grants · $74K · 2019–2020
Jessie Rees FoundationCA · FY2020$32,360
NrbDC · FY2020$22,550
Unitemized GrantFY2019$7,858

By the numbers

The FY2022 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$18.8M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$15.5M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$2.8M
Investment incomeLn 3$631K
Money outPt IX
$15.0M
Ln 25
Programscol B$9.6M
Managementcol C$3.5M
Fundraisingcol D$1.9M
Owns and owesPt X
$0
net assets · Ln 32
Total assetsLn 16$0
LiabilitiesLn 26$0
PeoplePt VI, VII
18
listed · VII A
PaidVII A10
Voting boardVI 1a9
IndependentVI 1b8
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$15.5M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$9K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$2.8M
Investment incomeLn 3$631K
Gains on assetsLn 7$613K
Total revenueLn 12$18.8M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$0
SavingsLn 2$0
InvestmentsLn 11–13$0
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$0
Other assetsLn 15$0
Total assetsLn 16$0
LiabilitiesLn 26$0
Net assetsLn 32$0
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 5123
VolunteersI 6511
Fiscal year endsHeaderMay
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY22End FY22
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$6.6M$0
InvestmentsLn 11–13$0
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$2.9M$0
Total assetsLn 16$26.8M$0
LiabilitiesLn 26$5.1M$0
Net assetsLn 32$21.7M$0
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$5K$5K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$838K$502K$227K$109K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$5.3M$3.2M$1.4M$692K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$123K$74K$33K$16K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$486K$292K$130K$64K
Payroll taxesLn 10$436K$262K$118K$57K
Legal feesLn 11b$68K$68K
Accounting feesLn 11c$57K$57K
Professional fundraising feesLn 11e$362K$362K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$283K$191K$87K$4K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$1.3M$1.2M$12K$153K
Office expensesLn 13$1.1M$329K$563K$240K
Information technologyLn 14$516K$300K$161K$55K
OccupancyLn 16$1.5M$1.4M$79K$46K
TravelLn 17$372K$193K$121K$58K
InterestLn 20$97K$93K$3K$1K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$346K$332K$9K$5K
InsuranceLn 23$151K$145K$4K$2K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$1.2M$840K$388K$14K
All other expensesLn 24e$260K$260K
Total functional expensesLn 25$15.0M$9.6M$3.5M$1.9M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2022 Latest Viewing $18.8M$15.0M$3.9M$0 990 PDF
FY2021 $19.4M$15.7M$3.7M$21.7M 990 PDF
FY2020 $19.0M$15.6M$3.4M$18.0M 990 PDF

More to add? Claim this org

Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2022 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $18,831,915 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $16,913,172$15,476,083
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $2,300,489$2,764,352
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $186,988$630,628
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$2,481−$39,148
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $19,398,168$18,831,915
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $57,031$4,900
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $8,348,685$7,206,046
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $499,394$362,410
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $6,824,641$7,378,403
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $15,729,751$14,951,759
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $3,668,417$3,880,156
Part VI · Governance 8 of 9 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body9
VI-1b Independent voting members8
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $18,831,915 across 9 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $221,274 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1a Federated campaigns$6,102
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$15,469,981
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$8,825
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$15,476,083
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $1,120,882 · Unrelated business $1,422,196$2,543,078
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $17,885$17,885
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossUnrelated business −$39,148−$39,148
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $612,743$612,743
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $1,342,156 · Unrelated business $1,383,048 · Excluded from tax $630,628$18,831,915
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $14,951,759 across 20 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $4,900$4,900
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $502,015 · Management $226,816 · Fundraising $108,977$837,808
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $3,194,400 · Management $1,436,438 · Fundraising $692,131$5,322,969
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $73,681 · Management $32,753 · Fundraising $16,231$122,665
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $292,174 · Management $129,844 · Fundraising $64,364$486,382
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $261,733 · Management $117,780 · Fundraising $56,709$436,222
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $67,551$67,551
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $56,874$56,874
IX-11e Professional fundraising feesFundraising $362,410$362,410
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $191,223 · Management $87,354 · Fundraising $4,158$282,735
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $1,164,926 · Management $11,764 · Fundraising $152,858$1,329,548
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $328,906 · Management $562,647 · Fundraising $239,717$1,131,270
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $299,899 · Management $161,417 · Fundraising $54,505$515,821
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $1,401,718 · Management $79,039 · Fundraising $45,869$1,526,626
IX-17 TravelPrograms $193,097 · Management $121,431 · Fundraising $57,717$372,245
IX-20 InterestPrograms $93,275 · Management $2,536 · Fundraising $1,329$97,140
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $332,361 · Management $9,035 · Fundraising $4,737$346,133
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $145,194 · Management $3,947 · Fundraising $2,070$151,211
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $839,906 · Management $387,882 · Fundraising $13,622$1,241,410
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $259,839$259,839
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $9,579,247 · Management $3,495,108 · Fundraising $1,877,404$14,951,759
Part X · Balance sheet $0 assets, 19 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $4,454,770$0
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $2,185,699$0
X-3 Pledges and grants receivable$0
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $237,333$0
X-8 Inventories for sale or use$0
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $214,800$0
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $2,882,430$0
X-11 Publicly traded securities$0
X-12 Other securities$0
X-13 Program-related investments$0
X-14 Intangible assets$0
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $16,732,880$0
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $26,819,663$0
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $1,418,234$0
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $411,548$0
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $5,130,823$0
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $21,688,840$0
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $21,688,840$0
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $26,819,663$0
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $0 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$18,831,915
XI-2 Total expenses$14,951,759
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$3,880,156
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$21,688,840
XI-9 Other changes in net assets−$25,568,996
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$0

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2022 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

Similar organizations you could support · Compare with another nonprofit

Names, privacy, and removal requests More

The names, titles, and compensation shown on this page are reproduced from IRS Form 990 filings, which are public records.

Philanthropy.org does not alter the content of those filings. All information appears exactly as reported by the filing organization for the tax year shown.

We publish only information contained in the public IRS filing — and less than the filing contains. Our profile pages do not display street addresses, telephone numbers, personal email addresses, or other personal contact information, even where the filing includes them.

Many people share the same name. A name shown on this page reflects only what one organization reported in one IRS filing for one tax year. It should not be interpreted as identifying any other individual with the same or a similar name.

If you are no longer affiliated with the organization, your name will generally stop appearing in future IRS filings once the organization no longer reports you. Pages for tax years in which you were reported remain published because those filings remain part of the public record.

Philanthropy.org does not alter or remove IRS filing records. Removing a page from this website would not remove the underlying IRS filing, which remains publicly available from the IRS and other publishers of the same information.

If you believe the IRS filing itself is inaccurate, corrections must be made by the filing organization or the IRS directly.

Your org? Add context

Made it to the end? Claim this org

All figures are derived from public IRS Form 990 filings and are presented without evaluation of any organization. philanthropy.org does not rate, score, or rank organizations, including the pay comparisons above.