University of Southern Mississippi Wesley Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

2024 has been a remarkable year of growth and transformation for the southern miss wesley foundation as it continues to form students in the wesleyan tradition and expand our reach to new campuses through wesley. Together, we have seen lives changed, communities strengthened, and the gospel shared in meaningful and lasting ways. 1. Expanded ministry footprint: - launched hub city wesley, uniting ministry efforts across the university of southern Mississippi, jones college, and pearl river community college under one shared mission: one ministry in the wesleyan way. - established a weekly wesley gathering at jones college led by student president jack riley grace, with regular outreach and tabling on mondays. - supported the growth of prcc wesley, led by its first student president, emily copeland, and took steps toward official campus recognition. 2. The inaugural rock retreat- held the first-ever rock retreat at camp wesley pines (july 26-28, 2024), bringing students together to strengthen their faith and identity in christ before the semester began. - theme: "christ our solid foundation," based on 1 samuel 17:45-47- plans are already in motion for the second rock retreat, july 25-27, 20253. Student discipleship and leadership development - introduced two new discipleship and leadership teaching series: 1) alive: leadership that breathes life on campus - exploring the wesley leadership values of being available, teachable, influential, faithful, and obedient. 2) fan the flame - connecting students to spiritual transformation and community through the core values of availability, influence, teachability, faithfulness, obedience, presence, and invitation- trained and mentored more than 40 student leaders across three campuses in weekly leadership gatherings 4. Mission and service- mobilized students to serve locally, regionally, and internationally following the acts 1:8 model: - jerusalem (hattiesburg): regular service projects and community partnerships - judea (pine belt): mission work throughout the region - samaria (state): spring break mission experience - ends of the earth (international): a mission trip in may 2025 is planned to continue the global engagement - over 450 volunteer engagements across all semesters, serving in local ministries, food security efforts, and campus outreach5. Community and hospitality - welcomed more than 200 international students to christmas gatherings, with community members providing gifts and hospitality, representing nearly every faith background. - continued equinox at wesley, a daily outreach offering handcrafted tea spritzers and conversation space for students from 7 am to 2 pm, monday through friday- distributed tiny houseplants at the start of the semester to help students feel at home and remind them of growth in christ 6. Donor and church engagement - deepened partnerships with local churches and alumni through presentation, letters, and shared mission efforts- held the 5th annual wesley open, continuing a growing tradition of community support 7. Looking ahead- the seeds planted in 2024 are preparing the wesley foundation for a thriving future as it approaches the 100th anniversary in 2027 and is shaping a ministry that will continue to help college students find their purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in christ for generations to come.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 19.9%; rating input score 20
• Program expense ratio: 87.2%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $77.14 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 84; 84th 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: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • 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: 80.9%; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.73; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: Limited
• Asset growth: Limited