Statement of Financial Policy and Non-Profit Status

Notice: We are a federally unregistered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Meaning that, though the government recognizes us as a 501(c)(3) organization, we, as a church/Fellowship, have elected not to register. We made this decision due to the emerging trend of censorship against non-profit church organizations for speaking out against sin and alternative lifestyles. Here at I John Fellowship, we are committed to Christ- and Gospel-centered preaching rooted in redemption and God's desire for reconciliation through the transformative power of grace and acceptance. However, we will not bow to the fear of losing our exemption status because of our stance on sin. Our decision is also connected to our desire to support our local community. As a ministry, where possible,  we practice group/community economics. We do so by partnering with local vendors who share our Christian values or, at the very least, aid in the support and upliftment of downtrodden people. Secondly,  by choosing to remain a federally unregistered non-profit, we support our local and state communities through participating in the economy through sales tax. This is especially important in impoverished areas where the tax base is low and/or most of the tax revenue leaves the community. Although we are a federally unregistered non-profit, we are registered with the Secretary of State, and in compliance with the law, we have a registered EIN.  Also, as with all non-profits, we are governed by a board, bylaws, and internal policies that affirm our status as a legitimate non-profit. Despite being a federally unregistered non-profit, all donations are still tax-deductible. However, as a federally unregistered non-profit, this status could be revoked more easily than if we were registered as a formal  501(c)(3) . (Please contact your CPA or the IRS  before giving if you have any other questions concerning donations to a federally unregistered non-profit.)