Gordon Christian Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $23,213,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not applicable - no public application process
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Christian ministries and organisations aligned with Gull Lake Ministries' mission
• EIN: 38-2596725

Contact Details

Gordon Christian Trust

• Address: 250 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 800, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2283
• Phone: (616) 363-9209
• Principal Officer: Joyce Williams (Chairman)

Gull Lake Ministries (Supported Organisation)

• Address: 1800 Burlington Dr., Hickory Corners, MI 49060
• Phone: (269) 671-5155 (local), (800) 350-2442 (toll-free)
• Website: https://gulllake.org/

Overview

The Gordon Christian Trust was established in 1984 as a Type I supporting organisation to Gull Lake Ministries. With total assets of $73,680,643 and annual giving of approximately $23.2 million in 2023, the trust makes contributions to organisations exempt under IRC Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) that are closely related in purpose or function to Gull Lake Ministries. Since 2015, the trust has awarded 542 individual grants totalling $74,273,796. As a Type I supporting organisation, grants are made at the discretion of Gull Lake Ministries, which operates, supervises, and controls the trust in a parent-subsidiary relationship. The trust currently holds a 2/4 star rating on Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Distribution

The Gordon Christian Trust operates as a donor-advised fund making grants at the discretion of Gull Lake Ministries. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the trust distributed approximately $23.2 million to 2 organisations in 2023.

Priority Areas

The trust supports Christian organisations that align with Gull Lake Ministries' mission to "exalt Jesus Christ, proclaim the Word of God, encourage personal commitment to Christ" whilst providing physical refreshment and spiritual renewal. Historical grant recipients have included:

• Christian Education: Bible colleges, theological seminaries (Grace Bible College, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Biola University)
• Missions Organisations: Africa Inland Mission, Campus Crusade for Christ, Compassion International, Bible League
• Christian Service Organisations: Bethany Christian Services, Adoption Associates Inc.
• Conference and Ministry Organisations: Gull Lake Bible & Missionary Conference and related ministries

The trust particularly supports nondenominational evangelical Christian organisations focused on biblical teaching, missions work, family services, and spiritual development.

What They Don't Fund

As a supporting organisation to Gull Lake Ministries, the trust does not:

• Accept unsolicited grant applications
• Fund organisations outside of Christian ministry focus
• Support organisations not aligned with evangelical Christian theology
• Make grants to individuals (unless meeting specific IRS requirements)
• Fund secular organisations or causes

Governance and Leadership

Principal Officer: Joyce Williams serves as Chairman of the Gordon Christian Trust.

The trust operates under the direction and control of Gull Lake Ministries, which was established in 1920 as Gull Lake Bible Conference Association. Gull Lake Ministries' stated purpose remains "to impact lives for God's glory" whilst developing meaningful ways to strengthen families and equip believers for service.

The relationship between the Gordon Christian Trust and Gull Lake Ministries is structured as a Type I supporting organisation, described by the IRS as similar to a parent-subsidiary relationship, where Gull Lake Ministries has the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the directors or trustees of the supporting organisation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Gordon Christian Trust does not have a public application process. As a Type I supporting organisation, all grant decisions are made at the discretion of Gull Lake Ministries. The trust operates similarly to a parent-subsidiary structure where Gull Lake Ministries controls grant distribution to organisations that align with its mission and values.

Organisations seeking support should not submit applications directly to the Gordon Christian Trust. Instead, relationships with Gull Lake Ministries and alignment with their mission of exalting Jesus Christ and proclaiming the Word of God are the primary factors in grant distribution.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made by trustee discretion rather than through an application review process.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The trust made grants to 2 organisations in 2023, suggesting highly selective, relationship-based grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Gordon Christian Trust operates at the discretion of Gull Lake Ministries without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organisations that have historically received support share these characteristics:

Alignment with Gull Lake Ministries' Mission: Organisations must share Gull Lake Ministries' commitment to exalting Jesus Christ, proclaiming biblical truth, and encouraging personal commitment to Christ. Their Statement of Faith emphasises biblical inerrancy, the Trinity, Christ's redemptive work, and evangelical theology.

Christian Ministry Focus: Supported organisations typically operate in areas including Christian education (Bible colleges and seminaries), international missions, family services from a Christian perspective, and biblical conference/retreat ministries.

Evangelical Theological Foundation: Gull Lake Ministries operates as a nondenominational Christian organisation grounded in evangelical theology, suggesting that supported organisations share similar theological commitments.

Service Excellence Philosophy: Gull Lake Ministries emphasises "an unwavering credo and philosophy of selfless service" and seeks to "deliver a seamless experience marked by exceptional, joyful service that reflects the heart of God." Organisations demonstrating similar values in their ministry approach may align well with the trust's priorities.

Family and Leadership Development: Given Gull Lake Ministries' focus on strengthening families and equipping believers for service, organisations with programmes supporting these goals appear to be priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Gordon Christian Trust does not accept unsolicited applications - all grants are made at the discretion of Gull Lake Ministries
• With $23.2 million in annual giving distributed to only 2 organisations in 2023, this is highly selective, relationship-based grantmaking
• Organisations must align with evangelical Christian theology and Gull Lake Ministries' mission of exalting Jesus Christ and proclaiming biblical truth
• Historical funding has supported Christian education, missions organisations, family services, and conference/retreat ministries
• The trust operates as a Type I supporting organisation in a parent-subsidiary relationship with Gull Lake Ministries
• Building relationships with Gull Lake Ministries leadership and demonstrating alignment with their values and mission is essential
• The trust has distributed over $74 million in grants since 2015, demonstrating substantial capacity for organisations that fit their priorities

References

• Gordon Christian Trust - Cause IQ Profile
• Gordon Christian Trust - Instrumentl 990 Report
• Gordon Christian Trust - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• Gordon Christian Trust - GuideStar Profile
• Gordon Christian Trust - Charity Navigator
• Gull Lake Ministries - Who We Are
• Gull Lake Ministries - Cause IQ Profile
• IRS - Supporting Organisations: Requirements and Types