Better Way Ministries

EIN: 311173550 501(c)(3) Religion

Columbus, OH

Total Revenue
$1,632,294
Total Expenses
$1,654,801
Total Assets
$852,556
Net Assets
$88,568
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1987
Legal Domicile
OH
Phone
6145473138
Tax Period
2023-09-01 to 2024-08-31

Better Way Ministries, founded in 1987, is a community nonprofit in the Religion sector that reported $1.6M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue surged 29% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum.

Mission

Better Way Ministries, d/b/a Columbus Dream Center, is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to providing hope to low-income, homeless, and under-served individuals and families in Columbus, Ohio. The Dream Center forms partnerships with area churches, organizations, and individuals to fund and provide resources for its various outreach programs.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,035,671

Columbus Dream Center served the community through various events and programs including the following: Adopt a Block programming - parties during the summer in local communities to touch base with...

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Columbus Dream Center served the community through various events and programs including the following: Adopt a Block programming - parties during the summer in local communities to touch base with the kids and families of the area and continue connection during the non-school season. This programming also includes Super Saturdays where the Dream Center does smaller setting Adopt a Block parties. Hosting Meal Nights, Breakfast Serves and Meal Distributions to serve hot meals to the homeless community weekly. Brotherhood and Sisterhood - programming specifically geared toward young boys and girls in a small group setting. Holiday-specific outreach for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter

Program 2
Expenses: $207,419

The Columbus Dream Center responded to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 with a Learning Extension Program where they offered a safe space for students to do remote school work with support and meals. In...

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The Columbus Dream Center responded to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 with a Learning Extension Program where they offered a safe space for students to do remote school work with support and meals. In 2021, as schools returned to in person, the Dream Center desired to maintain connection with the students and launched the After School Program for students to continue with support on homework, receive snacks, and be connected with the volunteers and students in the area.

Program 3
Expenses: $56,628

Hilliard Dream Center - Medical Clinic - In October of 2023, the Columbus Dream Center launched a free medical clinic to assist those in the community with medical evaluations and services.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,485,993
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $135,384
Other Revenue $10,917
TOTAL REVENUE $1,632,294

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $571,123
Salaries & Benefits $757,385
Fundraising Expenses $0
Program Expenses $1,299,718
Other Expenses $326,293
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,654,801

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $1,632,294 $1,264,720 +0.3%
Expenses $1,654,801 $1,611,014 +0.0%
Net Income $-22,507 $-346,294 -0.9%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
3
Independent Members
1
Employees
19
Volunteers
1387

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
2
$155,966
Total Directors
3
$231,074
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Cris Gordon Executive Director 40.0
Officer Director
$37,168 $118,798 $155,966
Steve Campbell President 1.0
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Todd Marrah Director 1.0
Director
$0 $63,518 $75,108
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $1,632,294 $1,654,801 $852,556 $-22,507
2023 $1,264,720 $1,611,014 $943,614 $-346,294
2022 $1,523,951 $1,435,842 $1,186,561 $88,109
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