Word of Life Foundation Inc
Word of Life Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Schroon Lake, New York. Organized as a supporting organization, it raises and distributes funds to Word of Life Fellowship Inc and other tax-exempt organizations whose work furthers the Fellowship’s religious, charitable, and educational purposes.
Key facts about Word of Life Foundation Inc
In short: Word of Life Foundation Inc gave $13.6M across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $231K), mostly in New York. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 45-2899583
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,629,706
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- Average grant
- $231,012
- Median grant
- $14,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (12 of 56, 2024)
- Total assets
- $25,753,810
- Primary geography
- New York (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$25.8M
-8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.6M
-21.2% YoY
Grant Count
59
-11.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$231K
-10.6% YoY
Is Word of Life Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 56 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $306K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $17K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to support and further the religious, charitable, and educational tax-exempt purposes of Word of Life Fellowship Inc. Its 2024 filing describes it as distributing funds to the Fellowship and other tax-exempt organizations that further those purposes.
Its 2024 grantees included organizations with a range of stated missions. Word of Life Fellowship describes its work as evangelization and discipleship through camps, youth programs, Bible Institutes, missions, and other ministries. Malone University says its mission is to provide a biblically based education and develop students committed to serving the church, community, and world. Serve Syracuse says it supports organizations serving people in poverty in Syracuse through volunteers and funding. Appalachian Bible College describes its work as strengthening churches and preparing graduates for church-related service.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 59 grants totaling $13,629,706. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $11,616,893, with a median of $14,500. The largest grant, $11,616,893, went to Word of Life Fellowship Inc for “Ministry Outreach.” Other large grants included $465,000 to Finish Line Ministries International, $200,000 each to Serve Syracuse and Malone University, and $100,000 to Appalachian Bible College, all for “Ministry Outreach.”
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Word of Life Foundation Inc
Life Change Camper Fund
Word of Life Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies (partial to full camp scholarships)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Life Change Student Fund
Word of Life Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Paul Bubar Legacy Scholarship
Word of Life Foundation Inc
Amount
Full tuition for remaining three years of study (covers second year through senior year after application of all other scholarships and grants)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Word of Life Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 5% to Ohio, 2% to Florida, and 1% each to West Virginia and Georgia. The listed grants also included recipients in Illinois and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $13.6M (2024) to $30.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 59 grants totaling $13.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Word of Life Fellowship Inc ($11.6M). Together the top 10 received $12.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
295 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 223 grants of 295 (76%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Word of Life Fellowship Inc Schroon Lake, NY | Ministry Outreach | $11,616,893 |
| Finish Line Ministries International Columbus, OH | Ministry Outreach | $465,000 |
| Serve Syracuse Syracuse, NY | Ministry Outreach | $200,000 |
| Malone University Canton, OH | Ministry Outreach | $200,000 |
| Appalachian Bible College Mount Hope, WV | Ministry Outreach | $100,000 |
| National Christian Foundation Alpharetta, GA | Ministry Outreach | $72,000 |
| Campus Crusade for Christ Orlando, FL | Ministry Outreach | $65,450 |
| Abide International Miami Gardens, FL | Ministry Outreach | $60,000 |
| Local Church Evangelism Inc Hudson, FL | Ministry Outreach | $53,600 |
| Keep Believing Ministries Elmhurst, IL | Ministry Outreach | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25,753,810 | $11,259,564 | $14,074,459 | $13,629,706 |
| 2022 | $19,665,070 | $11,873,124 | $20,052,852 | $19,687,816 |
| 2021 | $29,167,251 | $32,657,621 | $18,766,274 | $18,628,638 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,753,810 | $28,006,828 | $19,665,070 |
| Revenue | $11,259,564 | $24,510,604 | $11,873,124 |
| Expenses | $14,074,459 | $17,291,989 | $20,052,852 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,036,801 | $446,868 | $-49,314 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ronald D. Wyrtzen as President. Directors listed are Don H. Lough, Benjamin J. Nelson, Deb Nightingale (Treasurer), Charles D. Nightengale, Bob G. Brown (Secretary), Andrew Brown, Chad J. Lubke, Dane Swanson, and Walter R. Price.
Word of Life Foundation Inc is led by Wyrtzen Ronald D, President on every filing since 2023; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wyrtzen Ronald D
President
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brown Andrew
Director
Director-Vice President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brown Bob G
Director-Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lough Don H
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nelson Benjamin J
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nightingale Deb
Director Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Swanson Dane
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter R Price
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nightengale Charles D
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lubke Chad J
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Chad J Lubke (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Peterson Bruce (2020–2022) — Director-President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 600, Schroon Lake, NY 12870
Phone: (518) 494-6000
Website: https://wol.org
Frequently asked questions about Word of Life Foundation Inc
How much does Word of Life Foundation Inc give each year?
Word of Life Foundation Inc gave $13.6M across 59 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $17.3M across 67 grants.
What is Word of Life Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Word of Life Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $14,500, and its average grant was $231,012, across 59 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Word of Life Foundation Inc that year got $15K on average.
Where does Word of Life Foundation Inc give grants?
Word of Life Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Syracuse, NY (7 grants), Orlando, FL (4 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Kansas City, MO (2 grants).
Does Word of Life Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 59 grants with a stated purpose on Word of Life Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Ministry Outreach" (59 grants).
Who are Word of Life Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Word of Life Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Word of Life Fellowship Inc ($11,616,893), Finish Line Ministries International ($465,000) and Serve Syracuse ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Word of Life Foundation Inc?
Word of Life Foundation Inc reported $25.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.3M.
What does Word of Life Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to support and further the religious, charitable, and educational tax-exempt purposes of Word of Life Fellowship Inc. Its 2024 filing describes it as distributing funds to the Fellowship and other tax-exempt organizations that further those purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Word of Life Foundation Inc?
Word of Life Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check wol.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Word of Life Foundation Inc's EIN?
Word of Life Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2899583. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Word of Life Foundation Inc by hand.
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