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Joyce Meyer Ministries: Update to Senator Grassley's Inquiry
 

In a July 7, 2008 release, the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, confirmed that, “Joyce Meyer Ministries provided extensive answers to all questions,” and has “…engaged in open and honest dialogue with committee staff. They have not only provided responses to every question, but, in the spirit of true cooperation, also have provided information over and above what was requested." Read the entire press release.

This comes in response to a November 6, 2007 letter from Senator Grassley’s office requesting that the leadership of Joyce Meyer Ministries provide detailed records and personal information pertaining to Joyce and Dave Meyer for his review.

While the ministry was not under obligation by law to submit this information, as a demonstration of the ministry’s respect for the democratic process, long-standing commitment to fiscal responsibility, and deep commitment to the ministry’s partners and friends, all requested documents were released to Senator Grassley’s office without hesitation before the requested date.

“Transparency has been and will continue to be a standard of this ministry,” said Joyce Meyer. “We hold a deep commitment to our ministry partners and friends, and this is why we have a tradition of going above and beyond what is required by law. We are committed to the truth and to our purpose.”

Joyce and Dave are deeply committed to a high standard of stewardship, both in their personal lives and in the daily operations of the ministry. Each year, independently audited financial reports are made available upon completion to the public as a demonstration of commitment to fiscal responsibility. (Click here to view 2004-2007 financial reports.) 

For over 20 years, Joyce Meyer Ministries has operated with the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and is committed to being a good steward over the funds entrusted to the ministry by partners and friends. In 2007, 83 percent of total expenses were spent on outreaches and programs directed toward reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting the physical needs of the poor and needy worldwide.

Joyce Meyer Ministries is profoundly thankful for the many people who help make its far-reaching global ministry and humanitarian outreaches possible.


IRS Review back to top


Joyce Meyer Ministries recently voluntarily cooperated with an IRS tax inquiry to determine whether we meet the requirements for exemption from Federal Income Tax. The IRS was pleased to inform us that we qualify and continue to meet the requirements for Federal Income Tax exemption under IRC Section 501 (c) (3). Read the response from the IRS below.


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Answers to Common Questions back to top

Regarding Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Guidelines and Compliance - Just four weeks prior to Senator Grassley’s inquiry, on October 10, 2007, Joyce Meyer Ministries received a letter from the Department of the Treasury (IRS) informing the ministry that it is in complete compliance with IRS regulations and guidelines that govern the organization. (Click here to view the IRS letter. )  This conclusion was reached after Joyce Meyer Ministries’ leadership voluntarily participated in an in-depth IRS review of ministry operations, as well as, personal information related to Dave and Joyce Meyer. As the current requested information is similar, Joyce Meyer Ministries is confident this detailed review by the IRS will serve as a tremendous resource of information for Senator Grassley’s inquiry.

Regarding Compensation of Dave and Joyce Meyer - Joyce Meyer Ministries takes extra steps to ensure trust and confidence in giving for the partners and friends of the ministry. Each year, a complete, independent financial audit of the ministry’s activities is provided and made public. Joyce Meyer’s personal compensation is a part of this audit and the information provided. (Click here to view 2004-2007 financial reports.) Joyce Meyer does not receive any royalties or any form of compensation as a result of ministry sales of audio and video tapes, books, CDs, DVDs or any other form of media. In addition, Joyce Meyer does not receive the honorariums personally given to her as a result of the numerous speaking engagements she accepts each year. She requests these honorariums be given directly to the ministry.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times #1 bestselling author, and her books have appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list multiple times. As a result, she is compensated by royalties produced from the sale of these books via bookstores worldwide and other retail and online outlets outside of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Because of the vast success of her books and other related materials that are produced independently of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce Meyer is able to personally give generously back into the global media and mission outreaches of the organization. In the past four years, she has made donations to the ministry in amounts greater than she and her husband, Dave, have received in compensation from the ministry. (Click here to see letters of verification. ) This is evidence of her commitment to excellence in ministry and proof that she would never ask the partners and friends of the ministry to do something that she is not willing and ready to do herself.

Regarding the Purchase of a $23,000 Commode - While many have mistakenly associated this piece of furniture with a common household toilet, this particular term actually refers to the classic definition of commode identified by Webster’s Dictionary as, “a tall elegant chest of drawers.” In 2001, when the ministry moved into its current 150,000-square-foot headquarters located in Fenton, Missouri, a significant amount of furniture was needed for the larger facility. This “commode” was one piece of a total of sixty-eight pieces purchased from a single supplier to finish out the interior of the offices. A total of $261,498.21 was paid for these sixty-eight (the majority were significant in size) pieces of furniture. The $23,000 purchase price of this chest of drawers was actually an errant value assigned by the selling agent after the transaction was complete for the entire sixty-eight piece lot. Joyce Meyer Ministries humbly regrets not paying closer attention to specific “assigned values” placed on those pieces that have now led to gross misrepresentations. Joyce Meyer Ministries takes financial stewardship and accountability very seriously, and this oversight serves as an opportunity to only improve future practices. 

Regarding the Stewardship of Ministry Funds for Ministry Purposes - To ensure the most effective use of ministry funds, Joyce Meyer Ministries has never accrued debt and is committed to operating debt-free for future endeavors. In 2006, 82 percent of all ministry funds received were used for outreach and program services directed at reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting the physical needs of the less fortunate all over the world. The ministry used 13 percent for administrative purposes, and just 5 percent was used for fund-raising activities. For 2007, the ministry is on track to maintain this level of stewardship and, because of the generosity of its partners and friends, will be increasing its global missions budget to more than $28 million. These specific mission endeavors to people of developing nations and the USA include feeding the poor, providing clothing for children and families, prisoner outreaches, drilling freshwater wells, ministering to the elderly, building new homes for the homeless, and caring for widows and orphans. (Click here to view reports of these mission endeavors.)



Share these videos with the world back to top

Extending a Hand of Hope
In this ten minute video, you will find out how Joyce Meyer Ministries, through the incredible support of our friends and partners, is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with millions worldwide through our Enjoying Everyday Life® television broadcast. You’ll also discover how we are rescuing children from poverty, providing relief for the sick, rehabilitating prisoners, and restoring families' homes through our humanitarian relief efforts worldwide.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElYpnix_aIU

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Impact of JMM Broadcast
See how the Enjoying Everyday Life television show reaches potentially two-thirds of the world in 32 languages with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

URL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=q70A5YA-Hls

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Dental Truck Outreach 
See how the friends and partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries are providing free dental care to one of America’s lowest income areas.

URL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LKGD6EU8hyM

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Bringing Hope to Cambodia
Discover how Joyce Meyer Ministries, working side by side with many other organizations, brought hope and restoration to the nation of Cambodia during the Hope Cambodia—30 Days of Hope outreach.

URL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5xioZ_YF2rE

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