Federation of Christian Ministries

What Federation of Christian Ministries does

Federation of Christian Ministries (FCM) is a U.S.-based, non-profit religious organization founded in 1968 that operates as a membership body for ministers, chaplains, and inclusive faith communities. It is registered under EIN 23-7089016 and operates from Cleveland, Ohio (per firmographics) with a registered mailing address at 2261 Market Street, Suite # 86674, San Francisco, CA. The organization is led by Executive Director Madison Jones McAleese and governed by a Circle of Directors, with a lean staff of 25 employees.

FCM's core offerings are ecclesiastical in nature rather than technology-based. Commissioning (ordination) is provided without barriers of gender, orientation, or tradition, and Ecclesiastical Endorsement is recognized by ACPE, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and all major certifying bodies, enabling FCM members to serve as chaplains in hospitals, the military, prisons, and clinical settings. Supporting products include a Faith Community Locator, a Find a Minister directory, the Immigration Accompaniment Toolkit, the Free Priests Press publishing line, and the Diaspora magazine, all distributed through the FCM Store (store.fedcm.org).

The business model is a non-profit membership model with three revenue streams: recurring membership dues from ministers, chaplains, and faith communities; donations and an endowment program; and one-time e-commerce sales through the FCM Store. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by the annual National Assembly (2026: Austin, TX, November 6-8) and content channels including the FCM blog and newsletter. Institutional credibility is reinforced through affiliations with ACPE, the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, Churches Uniting in Christ, Christian Churches Together, the International Council for Community Churches (Ohio chapter), and listing in the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.

Name

Federation of Christian Ministries

Legal name

Federation of Christian Ministries

Website

https://federationofchristianministries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Federation of Christian Ministries is a U.S. non-profit founded in 1968 that ordains ministers, provides ecclesiastical endorsement for chaplains, and supports inclusive faith communities through membership dues, donations, and an e-commerce store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

Keywords

• Ministry ordination services
• Chaplain endorsement
• Faith community resources
• Religious publishing
• Ecclesiastical licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: FCM generates revenue through membership fees for ministers, chaplains, and faith communities who join the organization to receive commissioning, endorsement, and access to resources.
2. FCM Store: E-commerce sales of curated items including the Free Priests Press publications and Diaspora magazine to support expansive ministries.
3. Donations and Endowment: The organization accepts charitable donations and manages an endowment program for ongoing financial support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FCM provides ordination through its Commissioning program for independent ministers, ecclesiastical endorsement for chaplains serving in institutional settings, and membership-based support for faith communities. It also distributes ministry resources through the Free Priests Press, FCM Store, Diaspora Magazine, and digital tools such as a Faith Community Locator and Immigration Accompaniment Toolkit.

Product overview

FCM operates as a unified membership organization offering interconnected ministry services rather than a software platform. The core offerings include ordination through Commissioning, ecclesiastical endorsement for chaplains, and a Faith Community Locator service. Supporting these are the FCM Store (selling curated ministry resources and publications), Free Priests Press publications including Diaspora magazine, and the Immigration Accompaniment Toolkit. Members access the platform via Realm (onrealm.org) for member login and management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Free Priests Press: Publishing arm of FCM featured in their store
• Diaspora: the FCM Magazine

Products and services

• Commissioning (Ordination) Program Non-denominational ordination credentialing for independent ministers who need formal standing to officiate weddings, perform sacramental ministries, and establish legal ecclesiastical authority. Designed for ministers without mainstream denominational affiliation.
• Ecclesiastical Endorsement for Chaplains Religious body endorsement provided to professional chaplains serving in hospitals, prisons, the military, and corporate settings. Satisfies employer and professional association requirements for chaplaincy credentials.
• FCM Membership Annual membership program for ministers, chaplains, and faith community members that provides access to publications, networking, and ministry resources. Sustains FCM's nonprofit operations.
• FCM Store Online retail outlet offering ministry-related products and branded merchandise for members and supporters.
• Free Priests Press Publications Publishing imprint producing books and resources on independent ministry, theology, and pastoral practice, distributed by mail order and online.
• Diaspora Magazine Periodical publication addressing ministry topics relevant to FCM members, independent ministers, and faith community leaders.
• Faith Community Locator Online directory tool that connects seekers with FCM-affiliated faith communities and congregations across the United States.
• Find a Minister Online directory tool that helps users locate FCM-credentialed ministers for weddings, counseling, and sacramental needs.
• Immigration Accompaniment Toolkit Resource toolkit published by FCM to support ministers and faith communities assisting immigrants with legal, pastoral, and community integration needs.
• Religious Calendar Annual religious calendar resource produced by FCM for member faith communities and clergy.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is a faith group member of ACPE, the premier organization for clinical pastoral education. This partnership provides FCM members with recognized ecclesiastical endorsement for chaplaincy certification.
• National Council of Churches (NCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is a member of or affiliated with NCC, participating in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration among Christian denominations.
• World Council of Churches (WCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is affiliated with the WCC, engaging in global ecumenical associations and interfaith cooperation.
• Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM participates in the CUIC ecumenical partnership aimed at visible unity among churches.
• Christian Churches Together (CCT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is affiliated with CCT, a national ecumenical Christian association.
• International Council for Community Churches (ICCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is listed as a member of ICCC, Ohio chapter, participating in community church ecumenism.
• Yearbook of American & Canadian ChurchesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCM is listed in the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, providing official recognition within the religious community.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Covenant Network of Presbyterians: Aims for the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Comparable to FCM as an inclusive ordination advocacy and ministerial support body within a faith tradition.
• Spiritualists' National Union: Provides ministerial credentials and ordination outside traditional denominational structures. Comparable to FCM in offering alternative ordination pathways and recognizing ministers for institutional chaplaincy roles.
• Alliance of Baptists: A progressive Baptist network offering an alternative home for pastors and faith communities excluded from more conservative Baptist conventions. Comparable to FCM as a membership-based, inclusive ministry endorsement organization.
• Metropolitan Community Churches: An LGBTQ+ affirming Christian denomination offering ordination and inclusive ministry pathways. Directly comparable to FCM in serving ministers excluded by traditional denominations and operating as a progressive, member-based ecclesiastical body.
• Open and Affirming Coalition (UCC): Works within the United Church of Christ to promote full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. Comparable to FCM as an inclusive ordination/ministerial advocacy organization supporting LGBTQ+ clergy.

Broad incumbents

• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): A progressive mainline Protestant denomination with congregational polity and inclusive ordination. Comparable to FCM as a broader establishment body that nonetheless shares an inclusive ordination ethos.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: A mainline Protestant denomination with officially inclusive ordination policies for LGBTQ+ clergy. Comparable to FCM as a larger incumbent body that also endorses chaplains for institutional ministry.
• United Church of Christ: A mainline Protestant denomination known for progressive theology and full LGBTQ+ inclusion. Comparable to FCM as a broader institutional alternative to traditional denominations that also endorses ministers for chaplaincy.

Others

• National Council of Churches: A U.S. ecumenical umbrella body of Christian denominations that FCM is affiliated with. Comparable as an ecosystem partner that extends FCM's interfaith reach and legitimacy.
• World Council of Churches: A global ecumenical fellowship of Christian denominations that FCM is affiliated with. Comparable not as a competitor but as an ecosystem partner that validates FCM's inclusive ministry position.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/federation-of-christian-ministries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Federation of Christian Ministries