Kanakuk Ministries
Kanakuk Ministries is a public charity based in Branson, Missouri. It operates Christian camps and other programs for children, students, families, and leaders, and provides support to other religious, charitable, and educational organizations.
Kanakuk Ministries at a glance
- Total assets
- $52,251,966
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kanakuk Ministries
- Contact
Mailing address: 1353 Lake Shore Dr, Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (417) 266-3000
Website: https://kanakuk.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kanakuk Ministries funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 49 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing describes international ministry support for youth in Haiti and Rwanda. The 2023 grantee list includes organizations based in Missouri and Texas, and one grantee whose stated work concerns the Upper White River Basin in Arkansas and Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Is Kanakuk Ministries open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 4 of 14 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $78K (2020) to $783K (2022). In 2023 it made 14 grants totaling $532K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Urban St Louis K-Life Saint Louis, MO | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $210,918 |
| K-Life Denver Englewood, CO | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $96,230 |
| K-Life National Branson, MO | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $63,510 |
| Kids Across America Branson, MO | Support programs/camp for inner city children | $37,350 |
| Kanakuk Institute Branson, MO | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $34,045 |
| K-Life of St Louis Des Peres, MO | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $15,900 |
| K-Life of Conway Conway, AR | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $15,000 |
| K-Life of Fayetteville Fayetteville, AR | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $14,635 |
| H2Ozarks Kimberling City, MO | Support water quality in upper White River basin through research and action projects | $10,000 |
| K-Life of Ft Worth Ft Worth, TX | Support discipleship/fellowship of youth | $8,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $52,251,966 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | $53,766,528 | $37,754,925 | $38,659,489 | $532,073 | 14 | $-723,333 |
| 2022 | $49,435,943 | $37,973,061 | $35,386,498 | $783,187 | 20 | $53,786 |
| 2021 | $46,087,576 | $38,811,994 | $31,521,751 | $162,125 | 10 | $-59,305 |
| 2020 | $43,790,256 | $23,660,219 | $29,630,779 | $77,660 | 5 | $-971,823 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
In its 2022 filing, Kanakuk Ministries stated four purposes: relieving poverty by providing basic needs to children; advancing the Kingdom of God and Christian virtue through support for Christian evangelistic organizations and programs; educating children and teaching Christian faith and athletic skills through camps; and assisting other religious, charitable, and educational organizations with similar activities.
The filing describes camp programs serving children and teens, a family camp, a traveling day camp, Link Year’s gap-year and spiritual training program, and Link Academy’s high school education and basketball program. It also describes international support for youth ministries in Haiti and Rwanda, including education, nutrition, and spiritual needs, and an Alumni Foundation serving and connecting alumni.
Grantmaking
Kanakuk reported 14 grants totaling $532,073 in 2023, an average of about $38,005 per grant. In 2022, it reported 20 grants totaling $783,187, an average of about $39,159 per grant.
Among the 2023 recipients, K-LIFE MINISTRIES received $63,510; its stated mission is to provide Christian ministry to high school youth. THE KANAKUK INSTITUTE received $34,045; it describes itself as an educational institution equipping people of all races and nationalities with Christian ministry skills. UPPER WHITE RIVER BASIN FOUNDATION received $10,000; its stated mission is to promote water quality in the Upper White River Basin watershed through research, public policy, and action projects in Arkansas and Missouri. DISTINCTLY HIS MINISTRIES received $7,500; it describes its work as helping youth and families thrive through youth development, mentoring, sports, and community engagement.
The filing says Kanakuk reviews planned support annually and that management or board members maintain contact with supported organizations and receive updates on program accomplishments. It also describes scholarships and discounts for Kanakuk participants, which are distinct from grants to outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Kanakuk Ministries is led by Joe White, CEO & Chairman since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 13 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
The latest filing that lists officers: our copy of the 2024 filing lists none.
Joe White
CEO & Chairman
President, CEO & Chairman → CEO & Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $37K (2023)
Doug Goodwin
President
Chief Operating Officer → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$149K (2020) → $173K (2023)
Mark Webster
Director of Development
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$161K (2020) → $154K (2023)
Lyle Quiring
Director of Technology Services
New on the 2023 filing
45 hrs/week
$103K (2023)
Tamera Smith
Director of Finance & Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2023 filing
45 hrs/week
$85K (2023)
Cooper White
Founding Director
Director → Founding Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pattye Moore
Director at Large
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Baldwin
Director at Large
Director → Director at Large, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Utley
Director at Large
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Barnes
Director at Large
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Koerber
Controller & Treasurer
Controller & Assistant Secretary → Controller & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $89K (2023)
Debbie-Jo White
Vice President & Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$42K (2020) → $29K (2023)
John Jensen
Cbo & Secretary
Cbo & Secretary → Cbo, Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
Cbo, Secretary & Treasurer → Cbo & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $129K (2023)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Paul Etheridge (2020) — Director of Operations Support
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $173K, to Doug Goodwin (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kanakuk Ministries
How large is Kanakuk Ministries?
Kanakuk Ministries reported $52.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
What does Kanakuk Ministries fund?
In its 2022 filing, Kanakuk Ministries stated four purposes: relieving poverty by providing basic needs to children; advancing the Kingdom of God and Christian virtue through support for Christian evangelistic organizations and programs; educating children and teaching Christian faith and athletic skills through camps; and assisting other religious, charitable, and educational organizations with similar activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kanakuk Ministries?
Kanakuk Ministries has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check kanakuk.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Kanakuk Ministries make grants?
The filing describes international ministry support for youth in Haiti and Rwanda. The 2023 grantee list includes organizations based in Missouri and Texas, and one grantee whose stated work concerns the Upper White River Basin in Arkansas and Missouri.
What is Kanakuk Ministries's EIN?
Kanakuk Ministries's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1815310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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