Where Does $100 to the Oral Roberts Ministries Go?

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 Lindsay Roberts.

There are 7 voting members (trustees) of the governing body, 6 of whom are independent:  5 of whom are male, 2 of whom are female.

According to the most recent Form 990 (2023 for the year ending April 30, 2024):

OREA reported total revenue of $5.3 million in 2024 (compared to $5.5 million in 2023, $6.6 million in 2022, $5.9 million in 20221, $6.3 million in 2020, $7.9 million in 2019 and $7.3 million in 2018 – which indicates revenue is on a downward trend), almost all of which came from contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $5.9 million ($600,000 more than total revenue) and can be categorized as follows:

• $2.7 million (51% of revenue):  Compensation
• $1.7 million: (32% of revenue):  Program and Other Operating Expenses*
• $0.7 million (13% of revenue):  Printing and Publications, Postage and Shipping
• $0.1 million (2% of revenue):  Other Expenses (primarily other with no detail provided)
• $0.3 million (6% of revenue):  Office-Related Expenses
• $0.3 million (6% of revenue):  Grants (i.e. for preaching the gospel and ministry)
• $0.1 million (2% of revenue):  Fees for Services

“*”It is important to note $1.7 million was spent on program and other operating expenses but there is no detail provided.  OREA reports not paying any outside contractors more than $100,000, which could be a reporting error as the program existing during the operating year.

Compensation is the largest expense for OREA.  50 employees (down from 68 in 2023) received $2.7 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of $54,000.  OREO reports 4 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation:

• $404,489:  Richard Roberts, CEO
• $184,203:  Linda Salem Roberts, Program Host
• $190,036:  Michael Bernard, VP, Secretary
• $138,525:  Colleen Barker, VP

It is important to point out that Richard Roberts and Linda Salem Roberts and married. Collectively, the couple’s compensation totaled $588,692.  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 2018-2024, Richard and Linda Roberts received more than $4 million in compensation:

Richard and Lindsay Roberts:  Total Compensation 2018-2024:  $4 million

• 2024:  $588,692
• 2023:  $607,041
• 2022:  $612,286
• 2021:  $671,042
• 2020:  $607,367
• 2019:  $574,835
• 2018:  $598,163

Every $100 in revenue was spent as follows:

 $100:  Revenue

-$ 51:  Compensation

-$  2:  Other Expenses

-$  6:  Office-Related Expenses

-$  2 :  Fees for Services 

-$ 61: Subtotal:  Compensation, Office, Fees, and Other Expenses

 $ 39:  Revenue Remaining

-$ 32:  Program and Other Operating Expenses

-$ 13:  Printing and Publications, Shipping and Postage

-$  6:  Grants (primarily preaching and ministry)

-$ 51:  Subtotal: Media, Broadcasting, Printing, Publications, shipping, and Grants

-$ 12:  Excess Expenses 

As illustrated above, OREA spent $61 out of every $100 on staff and organization expenses.  $42 out of every $100 was spent on media time and broadcasting, printing and publications, shipping, and grants that were primarily for preaching and ministry.  The organization spent $400,000 more than they raised which they were able to cover because net assets were $1.9 million.

It is important to point out that OREA had $4.7 million in liabilities to a related organization, a rather large liability for a small non-profit organization (note:  OREA had a nearly $3 million federal tax liability and it is unclear if a related organization paid the liability creating a liability to the related organization that paid off the debt) that was down to $535,000 at year-end, which appears to indicate this liability was mostly paid off (with securities and cash, both of which were substantially reduced in 2024).

Net assets at year-end were reported to be $1.7 million.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2023 for the year ending April 30, 2024), click here.