Executive Compensation at Oral Roberts Ministries (2021)

The Oral Roberts Ministries is legally known as the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association (OREA) – a Tulsa, Oklahoma based non-profit 501 (c) (3) whose “evangelistic mission is to pray for healing of the whole man.”  Established in 1947 by Oral Roberts, a televangelist, OREA is now run by Oral’s son, Richard Roberts, along with his wife, Linda Salem Roberts who also appears to be known as Linda Roberts.  Collectively, Richard and Linda Roberts received nearly $700,000 in compensation in 2021.

There are 9 voting members (trustees) of the governing body, 8 of whom are independent; 7 of whom are male, 2 of whom are female.

According to the most recent Form 990 (2019 for the year ending April 30, 2021):

OREA reported total revenue of $5.9 million (compared to $6.3 million in 2020, $7.9 million in 2019, and $7.3 million in 2018), almost all of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.  Expenses totaled $5.8 million and can be categorized as follows:

• $2.6 million (44% of revenue):  Compensation
• $1.1 million: (19% of revenue):  Media Time and Broadcasting
• $0.8 million (14% of revenue):  Printing and Publications, Postage and Shipping
• $0.6 million (10% of revenue):  Other Expenses (i.e fees and other with no detail provided)
• $0.4 million (7% of revenue):  Office-Related Expenses
• $0.3 million (5% of revenue):  Grants (i.e. for preaching the gospel and ministry)

In looking at the above expenses, OREA spent $44 out of every $100 on compensation, $33 out of every $100 on media, printing, and postage (conceivably to raise funds), $17 out of every $100 on office and other expenses, and $5 out of every $100 on grants.

Compensation is the largest expense for OREA.  56 employees received $2.6 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $46,400.  OREO reports 4 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation but 5 employees are listed on the Form 990, Part VII, Section A:

• $486,087:  Richard Roberts, CEO
• $184,955:  Linda Salem Roberts, Program Host
• $671,042
• $172,043:  Michael Bernard, VP, Secretary
• $136,802:  Colleen Barker, VP
• $104,551:  Diane Peterson, Staff

It is important to point out that Richard Roberts and Linda Salem Roberts and married. Collectively, the couple’s compensation totaled $671,042 (compared to $607,012 the previous year). Note:  Richard and Linda Roberts receive a portion of their compensation from a related organization (Traco Advertising, University Village, City of Faith Hospital or City of Faith).

It is important to point out that OREA has $2.6 million in federal taxes payable, a rather large liability for a small non-profit organization.  OREA has $4.3 million in assets (of which $2.7 million is in publicly traded securities and $700,000 is in cash).  Net assets at year-end were reported to be $1.1 million.  So, if OREA sold the publicly traded securities (that came from previous donations), then the organization could pay off their $2.6 million federal taxes payable.  But, the big question is why does OREA, a tax-exempt non-profit organization owe $2.7 million in taxes to the federal government?

4 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation:

• $496,891:  Resource One, of Tulsa, OK for mailing services
• $324,194:  Community Care HMO, of Tulsa, OK for medical insurance
• $143,625:  TCT Ministries, of Marion, IL for TV broadcasting
• $127,627:  Folk TV, of Kingsland, GA for TV broadcasting

The bottom line is that most donations are spent on compensating employees, media broadcasting and raising funds.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2020 for the year ending April 30, 2021), click here.