School Ministries

What School Ministries does

School Ministries, Inc. is a multi-denominational Christian nonprofit ministry founded in 1991 and incorporated in Ohio as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 57-0942086). The organization's functional mission is to assist Christians across the United States in starting, sustaining, and growing Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) programs — constitutionally protected classes that allow public school students to receive off-campus religious instruction during school hours with parental permission and private funding. School Ministries operates a national headquarters in Independence, Ohio and full-time state offices in Alabama, California, Indiana, Ohio, and South Carolina, serving programs in 11 states with a volunteer and staff base exceeding 4,000 people and reaching approximately 40,000 new students per year since 2015-2016.

The organization's product portfolio includes proprietary curriculum (Middle School Year One and Year Two Student and Teacher Guides under the "Jesus on Mission" series), foundational resource kits (First Steps Kit, School Ministries Handbook, Keeping It Legal compliance guide), research and advocacy materials (National Council on Crime and Delinquency Summary of Findings, Hardwired to Connect report), and a Members' Zone online portal. Member programs also receive exclusive access to insurance products (General Liability, Directors & Officers, Student Accident) and discounted background-check services. The underlying technology is minimal — a Squarespace-hosted website and a basic member portal — consistent with a content-and-services ministry rather than a technology company.

School Ministries' revenue model is diversified across four streams: donations and charitable contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations (the primary funding source); annual membership fees from RTBE programs; resource and curriculum sales with tiered member/non-member pricing ($10-$60 per item plus shipping); and planned giving through partnerships with Legacy Ministry Services, FreeWill, and the National Christian Foundation. Monthly giving tiers ($25, $50, $125, $500) and the Vision 200 Church Partner Network ($500+/year for 3 years) anchor recurring revenue. The organization explicitly receives no government funding and is governed by a volunteer board chaired by Robert Sullivan.

Name

School Ministries

Legal name

School Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://schoolministries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

School Ministries is a 501(c)(3) Christian nonprofit founded in 1991 that helps churches and individuals start, sustain, and grow Released Time Bible Education programs for public school students, operating across 11 U.S. states with curriculum, membership services, and resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAD

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYEDALAHAI

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Activities, Clubs & Campus Life

Keywords

• Religious education programs
• Bible education ministry
• Released time education
• Christian education resources
• Nonprofit ministry services

Headquarters

HQ city

Independence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: School Ministries receives no government funding and relies on generous support of individuals, churches, businesses, organizations, and foundations. The organization offers monthly giving options at various levels ($25, $50, $125, $500) as well as one-time gifts.
2. Membership Fees: RTBE programs can become members of School Ministries to access Members' Zone resources, consultation, discounted events, insurance, and background checks.
3. Resource and Curriculum Sales: The organization sells educational resources including curriculum guides, handbooks, DVDs, audio collections, and research reports to members and non-members.
4. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Partnership with Legacy Ministry Services and FreeWill allows supporters to include School Ministries in estate planning and wills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

School Ministries equips, educates, and encourages Christians to start, sustain, and grow Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) programs that teach K-12 public school students the Bible off-campus during school hours with parental permission. Its core deliverables include a starter kit (First Steps Kit), the School Ministries Handbook, a legal compliance guide, multi-year middle school curriculum, advocacy research reports, member-only consultation and resources, and member-exclusive insurance and background check services, funded through donations, memberships, and resource sales.

Product overview

School Ministries is a multi-denominational Christian ministry (since 1991) that provides Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) resources and support services. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of products including the First Steps Kit (core starter package), School Ministries Handbook, and Keeping It Legal guide as foundational resources. Their research/advocacy materials include the Summary of Findings from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency and Hardwired to Connect report. Curriculum products consist of Middle School Curriculum Year One and Year Two (Student and Teacher Guides) featuring the 'Jesus on Mission' series. Additional resources include the School Ministries Video Collection, Audio Collection, Guide to Teacher Recruitment and Retention, and marketing materials. Members receive access to the Members' Zone platform, insurance products (General Liability, D&O, Student Accident), and discounted background check services. The organization also offers planned giving and estate planning services through partnerships with Legacy Ministry Services, National Christian Foundation, and FreeWill.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• First Steps Kit Comprehensive starter package containing the School Ministries Handbook, three-part video download, brochure, Tales of Grace publication, and Keeping It Legal document, designed to help potential leaders understand and start Released Time programs. Priced at $50 for members and $60 for non-members with $12 shipping per item; the non-member payment is credited to first annual membership fee.
• School Ministries Handbook Comprehensive manual outlining every step necessary to begin and run a successful Released Time program, with case studies, goals, and action lists. Priced at $35 for members and $40 for non-members with $5 shipping per item.
• Keeping It Legal: Released Time Religious Education Document addressing major legal issues for starting or implementing a Released Time education program with historical and legal background, a Q&A section, and guidance on maintaining legal compliance.
• Summary of Findings: National Council on Crime and Delinquency Report documenting educational and behavioral benefits of Released Time Bible Education, evaluating the Oakland California program with findings showing improved academic performance and positive character development.
• Hardwired to Connect: Commission on Children at Risk 83-page report by a 33-member panel of children's doctors, research scientists, and mental health professionals documenting psychological and physiological benefits of religious education and children's needs for social and spiritual connectedness.
• Tales of Grace in a Time of Violence 36-page booklet providing a research synopsis related to violence in society and evaluating ways Released Time programs help reduce these problems, with statistics and personal interviews.
• Bringing Hope to Youth through Released Time Bible Education Brochure Package of 20 brochures summarizing how School Ministries partners with communities to bring hope and purpose to public school students through Christian Released Time Bible Education.
• School Ministries Video Collection: Three-part Video Download Three-part DVD video download featuring SMI staff, students, teachers, administrators, and leaders covering the history of Released Time, program overview with testimonies, and interviews about operating a successful Christian Released Time program.
• School Ministries Audio Collection Audio recordings from the 100th Anniversary conference in 2014 featuring speakers including Jim Daly of Focus on the Family, covering spiritual leadership and future initiatives in RTBE.
• Guide to Teacher Recruitment and Retention Practical guide designed for RTBE board members and executive directors covering recruiting teachers, providing information and guidance for teacher success, and developing an employee handbook. Priced at $30 for members and $35 for non-members with $5 shipping per item.
• Middle School Curriculum Year One - Teacher Guide 174-page comprehensive teacher guide with lessons, guides, tips, activities, instructions, transitions, and an area for notes and prayers for first-year middle school lessons. Priced at $20 for members and $25 for non-members with $8 shipping per item.
• Middle School Curriculum Year One - Student Guide Student guide for first-year middle school curriculum with all handouts outlined and answered in the companion Teacher Guide, featuring perforated pages for binder placement.
• Middle School Curriculum Year Two - Student Guide Second-year student guide continuing God's redemptive story "Jesus on Mission" with all handouts outlined and answered in the companion Teacher Guide. Priced at $10 for members and $15 for non-members with $8 shipping per item.
• Middle School Curriculum Year Two - Teacher Guide 210-page comprehensive teacher guide for second-year lessons with instructions, transitions, and notes and prayers area, providing framework for customization. Priced at $20 for members and $25 for non-members with $8 shipping per item.
• Members' Zone Online portal providing local RTBE program leaders access to documents, templates, and articles for building and maintaining their programs, exclusive to School Ministries members.
• Insurance Products for Members Exclusive insurance coverage for member programs including mandatory General Liability and Directors' & Officers' (D&O) insurance, plus optional Student Accident Insurance, available at special member rates under a national contract.
• Background Check Services Discounted background check services for volunteers and teachers through School Ministries' national contract with the leading provider for churches and ministries.
• Planned Giving Program Strategic estate planning program helping individuals create biblically-based giving strategies including wills, trusts, Donor-Advised Funds, and non-cash giving options, delivered in partnership with Legacy Ministry Services, National Christian Foundation, and Believers Stewardship Services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children participating in Released Time programs do better academically and have fewer behavioral problems
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Legacy Ministry ServicescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2024Partnership with Legacy Ministry Services to provide FreeWill estate planning tools to School Ministries supporters. This allows supporters to create free wills and estate documents while learning about planned giving options. Legacy Ministry Services assists individuals in creating biblically-based estate plans that include charitable giving to School Ministries.
• FreeWillcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2024FreeWill partnership allows School Ministries supporters to create comprehensive, state-specific wills and additional estate planning documents at no cost. Supporters can include School Ministries as a charitable beneficiary in their estate plans through the Ministry Partners option.
• National Christian FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Christian Foundation provides biblically-based estate design services to help individuals create giving strategies aligned with Christian convictions. They help supporters develop plans that care for their needs, provide for loved ones, and make a difference for the Kingdom through gifts to School Ministries.
• Believers Stewardship ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Robert Sullivan, Believers Stewardship Services helps Christians accomplish their financial and estate planning goals. Allan Dunlap discusses planned giving benefits with School Ministries.
• US Parents Involved in Education (USPIE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchool Ministries National Executive Director Robert Kilo appeared on USPIE podcast hosted by Sheri Few to discuss Released Time Bible Education and its impact on public school students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools: This organization promotes Bible literacy as an academic elective in public schools, paralleling School Ministries' Released Time advocacy and curriculum-publishing work. It is a direct peer in Bible-education policy and curriculum, though it operates through the public-school classroom rather than off-campus.
• Released Time Christian Education: Released Time Christian Education is the closest direct peer — a national organization dedicated to starting, sustaining, and growing Released Time Bible Education programs in public schools. It serves the same constitutional niche with the same volunteer/church-led delivery model and would compete head-to-head with School Ministries in overlapping states.
• Child Evangelism Fellowship: Child Evangelism Fellowship runs Good News Clubs and related ministries that bring Christian education to public school children — a directly comparable faith-based education ministry serving the same K–12 demographic with volunteer-led, community-delivered programming.
• AWANA Clubs International: AWANA is a widely deployed children's Bible education program that partners with local churches to deliver weekly scripture-based curricula to K–12 children. It shares School Ministries' volunteer/church-partnership model, curriculum publishing business, and child-focused evangelical mission.

Others

• American Center for Law and Justice: ACLJ is a First Amendment and religious-liberty legal organization that frequently litigates on issues affecting Released Time and Bible curriculum in public schools. It is an enabling/adjacent peer — not a programmatic competitor but a critical ecosystem player for the legal framework School Ministries relies on.

Regional players

• Association of Christian Schools International: ACSI is the largest association supporting Christian K–12 schools globally, with overlapping educational content and accreditation services for faith-based instruction. It is comparable in mission space (Christian education) but serves private schools rather than the public-school Released Time niche School Ministries targets.

Broad incumbents

• Focus on the Family: Focus on the Family is a much larger, established Christian ministry with overlapping concerns around family formation, youth character development, and church mobilization. It is a broad incumbent in faith-based family ministry with greater reach but less specialization in Released Time specifically.
• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: BGEA is a broad, established evangelical ministry that has historically supported school-based Bible education and decision-focused outreach — a programmatic overlap with School Ministries' mission of first-time faith decisions among public-school students.

Emerging players

• Center for Christian Virtue: CCV is a statewide Christian advocacy organization in Ohio where former ED Robert Kilo held senior leadership. It overlaps with School Ministries on faith-based public engagement and was a previous employer of current executive leadership, making it a comparable faith-based nonprofit operator.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes: FCA is a faith-based organization reaching students in school settings through chaplains, campus huddles, and athletics ministry. It overlaps in mission (bringing Christian formation to public-school students) and shares Robert Kilo's prior employer connection, but focuses on older student segments and athletics rather than off-campus Bible classes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-ministries

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School Ministries