Ground Zero Ministries Inc
Nonprofit profile at a glance
- EIN
- 621751085
- IRS 990 coverage
- 2010–2024
- Forms available
- Form 990 2024
- Location
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
- Phone
- 8439459440
- Rating
- 78
- Verdict
- SUPPORTED
- Rating confidence
- Moderate
- Sector
- Youth Development – Religious Leadership
- Affiliation
- Christianity
Reported finances
- Revenue
- $941,636
- Expenses
- $1,004,491
- Assets
- $689,281
- Liabilities
- $223,424
Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Amounts in USD.
Leadership & pay
7 people listed
Executive titles in this filing
- W Scott Payseur (President)
Highest reported compensation
- W Scott Payseur (President): $122,714 total reported compensation
Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Names and roles reflect this filing, not necessarily current officeholders.
Overview
Mission
Ground Zero is the point of impact where life-changing experiences and authentic relationships spark transformation - where teenagers discover Christ, their true identity and the courage to live a life of purpose and direction.
What it reported doing in 2024
Ground Zero is the point of impact where life-changing experiences and authentic relationships spark transformation - where teenagers discover Christ, their true identity and the courage to live a life of purpose and direction.Ground Zero is a place where every teenager can go, belong and grow. Through life-changing experiences and nurturing relationships, we make a positive impact in the lives of today's teenagers, cultivating their faith and transforming their futures. Values1. Relational BelongingTransformation begins with authentic relationships. We pursue students personallylearning their stories, showing up consistently, and building trust over time. Through these relationships, students experience genuine care and find a place where they truly belong.2. Truth & IdentityRooted in the truth of Scripture, we see every student through the lens of God's designnot their mistakes or brokenness. With grace and compassion, we help students discover their identity in Christ and the hope found in Him.3. Intentional ExcellenceWe steward every opportunity, resource, and relationship with intentional carepursuing excellence that honors God and reflects His character. We pursue quality and relevance in everything we do, meeting students where they are and communicating the Gospel with clarity.4. Courageous FaithWe count the cost, but we also count on God. We refuse to shrink the vision or settle for what feels safe or familiar. Trusting Him beyond our limitations, we step forward in bold obedience innovating, taking new ground, and reaching students others might overlook.5. Multiplying ImpactWhen leaders are raised up and released, impact grows. Through intentional investment in students and volunteers, influence multiplies and the reach of the Gospel extends far beyond one ministry team. OUR PROGRAMSGZiGZi is a high-energy weekly gathering that is all about building relationships. Teenagers can hang out with their friends, enjoy a live DJ, grab food in Top Nosh, get a coffee drink at the GZ Coffee Shop and engage in interactive experiences. Teenagers also hear from a dynamic communicator and participate in group discussion about a relevant topic or issue they face. GZi is the place to be each week, a place where teenagers can belong and grow in a supportive, fun environment.iEventsiEvents are high-energy entertainment experiences that teenagers won't be able to stop talking about. We bring together nationally known bands, artists, performers, athletes and entertainers to create unforgettable experiences that deliver world-class entertainment with a clear gospel message. iEvents will capture teenager's attention, and will forever change their life! School Assemblies Ground Zero school assemblies are provided at no cost as a blessing to our local middle and high schools. Communicators include nationally known bands, artists, performers, athletes and entertainers, delivering powerful and positive messages. These assemblies do not include a faith-based message, but rather a positive message with speakers skilled at engaging diverse school environments.EQUIP Ground Zero MagazineThe GZ Magazine, a monthly publication serving as a comprehensive guide to all the happenings at Ground Zero. It features a daily devotional and series memory verse from the ongoing series at GZi, ensuring spiritual nourishment throughout the week. Branded to align with the current series, the Ground Zero Magazine provides a cohesive experience for readers. In addition to spiritual content, it offers insights into coffee shop specials, Stage Left specials, and newly released merchandise. Readers can stay informed about upcoming events and enjoy interviews with Christian artists. With contributions from youth pastors and national youth communicators, The Ground Zero Magazine aims to help readers deepen their relationship with Christ. It serves as a one-stop resource to get involved in the GZ community and grow spiritually.iGroupsiGroups are consistent, dedicated gro
Operating model
- Revenue model
- Mixed. Its operating money came from several sources; no one source provided a clear majority.
- Distribution model
- Direct operator. The filing allocates 100% of reported program-service expenses outside its grant, affiliate-payment, and member-benefit lines. This expense classification does not rule out separately announced grant awards.
The verdict
SUPPORTED - A large share of available resources goes toward mission work and the filed numbers largely add up. Fundraising costs are high for each dollar raised and expenses are high relative to revenue.
Rating breakdown
- Financial Efficiency: 72
- Transparency & Controls: 92
- Accountability: 75
- Sustainability: 25
- Growth: 100
Detailed rating inputs
Financial Efficiency
- Mission deployment rate: 81%; rating input score 81
- Program expense ratio: 76.3%; rating input score 76
- Fundraising efficiency: $3.86 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings
Transparency & Controls
- Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
- Pay-setting controls: Limited
- Foreign activity oversight: Limited
- Grant itemization coverage: Limited
- Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
- Related-party transparency: Limited
Accountability
- Independent voting board: 75%; rating input score 75; 16th percentile among comparable filings
- Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
- Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
- Whistleblower policy: Pass
- Document-retention policy: Pass
- CEO compensation review process: Pass
- Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
- Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
- Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
- Audit committee oversight: Missing
- Independent financial-statement audit: Fail
Sustainability
- Operating margin: -6.7%; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
- Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.69; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
- Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.32; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
- Officer compensation ratio: 12.2%; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
Growth
- Program expense growth: 8.1% per year; rating input score 100; 56th percentile among comparable filings
- Revenue growth: 2.2% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings
- Asset growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
Details
- Where the money goes: 81% of revenue deployed · 76.3% of spending went to programs
- Governance: 3 of 4 board members independent · 6 of 8 filing controls reported
- Programs: 1 filed program accomplishment · $766K in reported program spending
- Leadership: top reported pay $123K · 7 people listed
- Consistency: 26 of 26 current checks pass
- Schedules: 4 filed schedules · includes major donors
- Filing history: 13 filing years from 2010 to 2024
- Contacts: How to reach this organization
- Money network: 1 filed money-flow record
- Related organizations: Filed and resolved organization relationships.
- Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
- People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.
Key Signals
Signals prioritize questions for review. They are not findings of misconduct.
- High — Financial Efficiency: Fundraising efficiency scored 12/100.
- High — Sustainability: Operating margin scored 21/100.
- Review — Accountability: Governance controls: Independent financial-statement audit not reported.
- Moderate — Sustainability: Total-asset coverage ratio scored 31/100.
- High — Sustainability: Liabilities to assets ratio scored 23/100.
- Moderate — Sustainability: Officer compensation ratio scored 30/100.