Amazima Ministries

What it reported doing in 2024

Amazima Ministries International, Education and Empowerment for East Africa ("the Ministry"), is a not-for-profit Tennessee corporation whose purpose is to educate and empower the people of East Africa by providing education, health care, food, and family support, as well as spiritual, physical, and emotional encouragement.The Ministry's mission is to make disciples of Jesus through authentic relationships, excellent education, and strengthened communities. Its vision is that every person served would know Christ and make Him knownresulting in transformed lives, restored relationships, and changed communities. The Ministry is primarily funded through contributions from individuals and businesses.The Ministry's key initiatives include: Educational Activities - The Ministry directly supports The Amazima School, a Christ-centered primary and secondary school that equips Ugandan students with the tools of learning and creative thinking to live fully for the glory of God. Through educational scholarships, students receive a Christ-centered education, meals, school supplies, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. Primary school students (P1P7) attend as day students, while secondary school students board on campus. Teachers follow the Ugandan curriculum and incorporate Biblical integration in each classroom to cultivate a Biblical worldview.Discipleship - Outside of class, secondary boarding students participate in the Student Life program, a mentorship initiative led by married couples and single Ugandan adults who live among the students and model Christian lifestyles and marriages. Student Life incorporates daily devotions, life skills groups, intramural sports, worship teams, community service projects, partnerships with other area NGOs, and intentional relationships to promote spiritual and personal growth.Next Steps - Upon graduation from secondary school, students are supported with career guidance, internships, university application assistance, vocational placements, financial literacy training, and mental health resources. The Ministry continues engaging graduates by assisting with tuition, supplies, and mentorship throughout their university, vocational training, or entry into the workforce.Medical Care - The Ministry provides health care for students and their families within the Jinja community who may otherwise lack access to affordable medical services. Students receive vaccinations, as well as testing and treatment for common infectious diseases such as malaria and typhoid. The Ministry's medical department collaborates with mentors and social workers to offer health screenings, deworming, and referrals for additional care. Trained clinical psychologists also provide mental health education and counseling to all students.Entrepreneurial Projects - The Ministry partners with local Ugandans to implement self-sustaining businesses and agricultural initiatives that enable individuals to provide for their families. These projects include farming, soap-making, and operating small shops within local communities.Community - The Ministry fosters spiritual growth activities and Bible studies in several villages in Uganda.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.7%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 78.4%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $8.49 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 6 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 1 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 12
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Limited
  • Conducts field audits: Limited
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Limited
  • Conducts site visits: Limited
  • Requires grant agreements: Limited
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 77.8%; rating input score 78; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -14.1%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.55; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.1; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.5%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.4% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -9.8% per year; rating input score 0; 2nd percentile among comparable filings