We provide resources that guide people in their relationships so they can live better lives. Our vision is for healthy relationships to be passed down by every family from generation to generation.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
76¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$88K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2021 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
3 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $14K a year · 1% of revenue · last 6 filings
Worth a look: a surplus in 3 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
76%
of spending
Looks good: 76% of spending went to programs; 75% or more.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$88K
to officers and key staff · 7% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 7% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
3 mo
of spending, in cash
Fine: 2.6 months of spending in cash; 1 to 3.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
7
named funders · $801K
Looks good: 7 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$169K
56% of total assets
Fine: liabilities are 56% of assets; 50% to 65%.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
24
of 25 voting members
Looks good: 24 of 25 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$1.3M
+1% vs prior year
Spent
$1.2M
To programs
76%
Net assets
$134K
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$1.3M
FY2021▲ +1%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$1.2M
FY2021$1.3M
FY2022$1.4M
FY2023$1.2M
FY2024$1.5M
FY2025$1.3M
Expenses
$1.2M
FY2021▼ -5%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$1.3M
FY2021$1.2M
FY2022$1.4M
FY2023$1.4M
FY2024$1.2M
FY2025$1.4M
Net assets
$134K
FY2021▲ +24%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$108K
FY2021$134K
FY2022$210K
FY2023−$20K
FY2024$335K
FY2025$254K

From the FY2021 Form 990 · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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You’re viewing the FY2021 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Oct 1997.

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

Where the money goes

76 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 76% · $944K Management & general 12% · $154K Fundraising 11% · $139K

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

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Who runs it and what they're paid

25 people listed on the 990; $88K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation
President & CEO
$87,645Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Vice Chair
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Lauren Hall’s $115K as President and CEO is at the 32nd percentile of top reported officer pay among 3128 $1–10M health care nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 3 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Julie Baumgardner—————$129,519
Lauren Hall$114,649$107,625$95,490$86,064$87,645—
Mitchell Qualls$82,554$74,129————

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 First Things First INC executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

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

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2Yes
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Strengthens families through education, community collaboration, and mobilization to improve family life.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $863K · in their own filed words · FY2021
01

Marriage Initiative

This program is non-grant related programming that includes faith-based premarital education, marriage enrichment, marriage retreats, classes for singles interested in marriage, date night events, and speaking engagements all geared toward helping people build strong marriages.

$544Kprogram expense
02

Parenting Projects

Donuts for dads, muffins for moms, parenting in the brave new digital world and other parenting classes are offered to help parents know how to be actively involved in the life of their child in a healthy way.

$188Kprogram expense
03

Fathering Initiative

Helping fathers become more involved in the lives of their children. Goal is to increase father involvement with children by 30%. Dad ready is a class for first time fathers designed to teach the value of connecting with children early. Dads making a difference is a class for men who are behind on their child support.

$131Kprogram 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 7 funders →
Grants paid · 2 grants · $34K · 2024–2025
Unitemized GrantFY2025$21,619
Unitemized GrantFY2024$12,252

By the numbers

The FY2021 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$1.3M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$1.2M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$68K
Investment incomeLn 3$62
Money outPt IX
$1.2M
Ln 25
Programscol B$944K
Managementcol C$154K
Fundraisingcol D$139K
Owns and owesPt X
$134K
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$271K
Total assetsLn 16$303K
LiabilitiesLn 26$169K
PeoplePt VI, VII
25
listed · VII A
PaidVII A1
Voting boardVI 1a25
IndependentVI 1b24
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$1.2M
Government grantsLn 1e$185K
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$146K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$68K
Investment incomeLn 3$62
Total revenueLn 12$1.3M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$69K
SavingsLn 2$202K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$271K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$23K
Total assetsLn 16$303K
LiabilitiesLn 26$169K
Net assetsLn 32$134K
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 518
VolunteersI 630
Fiscal year endsHeaderDecember
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 FY21End FY21
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$237K$271K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$26K$23K
Total assetsLn 16$290K$303K
LiabilitiesLn 26$182K$169K
Net assetsLn 32$108K$134K
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$88K$70K$4K$13K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$514K$412K$21K$80K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$78K$62K$3K$12K
Payroll taxesLn 10$44K$35K$2K$7K
Accounting feesLn 11c$31K$31K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$47K$12K$35K
Office expensesLn 13$29K$2K$27K$25
OccupancyLn 16$54K$22K$16K$16K
TravelLn 17$3K$201$2K$333
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$5K$3K$2K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$7K$7K
InsuranceLn 23$6K$6K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$328K$318K$905$10K
All other expensesLn 24e$3K$221$3K
Total functional expensesLn 25$1.2M$944K$154K$139K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest $1.3M$1.4M−$82K$254K 990 PDF
FY2024 $1.5M$1.2M$355K$335K 990 PDF
FY2023 $1.2M$1.4M−$229K−$20K 990 PDF
FY2022 $1.4M$1.4M$76K$210K 990 PDF
FY2021 Viewing $1.3M$1.2M$23K$134K 990 PDF
FY2020 $1.2M$1.3M−$58K$108K 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support O · Explanations
See the full FY2021 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $1,260,451 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $1,181,414$1,199,519
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $64,769$68,154
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $409$62
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $0−$7,284
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $1,246,592$1,260,451
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $815,323$723,127
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $488,850$514,252
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $1,304,173$1,237,379
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$57,581$23,072
Part VI · Governance 24 of 25 board members independent, 1 to look at
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body25
VI-1b Independent voting members24
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsYes
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 $1,260,451 across 8 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$146,415
VIII-1e Government grants$185,295
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$867,809
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$1,199,519
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $68,154$68,154
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $62$62
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$7,284−$7,284
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $68,154 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax −$7,222$1,260,451
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $1,237,379 across 14 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $70,116 · Management $4,382 · Fundraising $13,147$87,645
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $412,449 · Management $21,213 · Fundraising $80,432$514,094
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $62,253 · Management $3,302 · Fundraising $12,072$77,627
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $35,228 · Management $1,702 · Fundraising $6,831$43,761
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $31,445$31,445
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $11,957 · Management $35,180$47,137
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $2,229 · Management $27,076 · Fundraising $25$29,330
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $21,568 · Management $16,429 · Fundraising $16,429$54,426
IX-17 TravelPrograms $201 · Management $2,437 · Fundraising $333$2,971
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $2,714 · Management $2,000$4,714
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $7,306$7,306
IX-23 InsuranceManagement $5,856$5,856
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $317,556 · Management $905 · Fundraising $9,848$328,309
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $221 · Management $2,537$2,758
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $943,798 · Management $154,464 · Fundraising $139,117$1,237,379
Part X · Balance sheet $302,682 assets, 12 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $62$68,899
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $237,018$201,679
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $2,544$1,310
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $3,433$8,051
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $25,785$22,743
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $290,169$302,682
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $32,212$45,493
X-24 Unsecured notes and loans payableStart of year $149,600$123,213
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $181,812$168,706
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $108,357$133,976
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $108,357$133,976
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $290,169$302,682
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $133,976 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$1,260,451
XI-2 Total expenses$1,237,379
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$23,072
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$108,357
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$2,547
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$133,976

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2021 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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