Executive Compensation at Oral Roberts Ministry (2022)

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 have received more than $600,000 in compensation annually for years.

There are 11 voting members (trustees) of the governing body, 10 of whom are independent; although 8 are listed on the most recent Form 990:  5 of whom are male, 3 of whom are female.

According to the most recent Form 990 (2022 for the year ending April 30, 2023):

OREA reported total revenue of $5.5 million (down from a high of $7.9 million in 2019) almost all of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.  Expenses totaled $5.5 million with the largest expenses reported to be compensation ($2.8 million or 51% of revenue) and media time, broadcasting, printing, publications and postage and shipping ($1.9 million or 33% of revenue).

Compensation is the largest expense for OREA.  68 employees received $2.8 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $4100.  OREO reports 5 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation but 6 employees are listed on the Form 990, Part VII, Section A:

• $424,684:  Richard Roberts, CEO
• $182,357:  Linda Salem Roberts, Program Host
• $607,041
• $194,284:  D Michael Bernard, VP, Secretary
• $153,305:  Colleen Barker, VP
• $114,630  Jeff Ogle, Staff
• $111,679:  Diane Peterson, Staff

It is important to point out that Richard Roberts and Linda Salem Roberts and married. Collectively, the couple’s compensation totaled $607,041. 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).  From 2018-2023, Richard and Linda Roberts received $3.7 million in compensation:

Richard and Lindsay Roberts:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3.7 million

• 2023:  $607,041
• 2022:  $612,286
• 2021:  $671,042
• 2020:  $607,367
• 2019:  $574,835
• 2018:  $598,163

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

• $609,741:  Resource One, of Tulsa, OK for mailing services
• $393,032:  TCT Ministries, of Marion, IL for TV broadcasting
• $293,420:  Word Network, of Southfield, MI for tv broadcasting
• $276,261:  Community Care HMO, of Tulsa, OK for medical insurance
• $106,390:  Nick Hand, of Bixby, OK for web services

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

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending April 30, 2023), click here.