irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $218KRESEARCH- AUBURN HAS A CENTER FOR RESEARCH (FORMERLY CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION). THE CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED AND ENDOWED IN 2007 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. TO GATHER, ANALYZE, AND RESEARCH TRENDS IN THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION, FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE 270+ ACCREDITED THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS (ATS).- AUBURN HAS CONDUCTED STUDIES ABOUT THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION SINCE THE LATE 1970S, ESTABLISHING ITS JOURNAL, AUBURN STUDIES, IN 1993 WITH ALL ISSUES BEING LOGGED ON AUBURN'S WEBSITE, AS WELL AS INDEXED WITH ATLA, THE AMERICAN THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)- THE RESEARCH IS EMPIRICAL: AUBURN CONDUCTS STUDIES ON STUDENT DEBT, TRENDS IN CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRUSTEE ENGAGEMENT, AND OTHER CHALLENGES FACING THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.WHEELER FELLOWS:- TO ACCOMPLISH THIS RESEARCH, AUBURN SELECTS SCHOLARS (WHEELER FELLOWS) EACH YEAR TO CARRY OUT RIGOROUS RESEARCH INTO THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION.- FELLOWS ARE IDENTIFIED AND SELECTED THROUGH NOMINATION PROCESS FROM PARTNERS IN THE FIELD BASED ON RESEARCH QUESTIONS OUTLINED IN AUBURN'S MANDATE.AUBURN STUDIES:- AUBURN'S PUBLICATION THAT SINCE 1993 HAS PROVIDED RESEARCH REPORTS ON THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION.- WHEELER FELLOWS AND THEIR RESEARCH ARE FEATURED IN AN ANNUAL ISSUE.- AUBURN ALSO CONVENES CONSULTATIONS, WEBINARS, AND PUBLISHES REPORTS FOR THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, AND INSTITUTIONAL DECISION-MAKERS.
- #2 $380KSTORYTELLING & NARRATIVE CHANGE- AUBURN BELIEVES IN THE POWER OF STORY TO HEAL AND TRANSFORM. AUBURN RUNS PROGRAMS THAT HELP LEADERS EXAMINE AND RESHAPE RELIGIOUS NARRATIVES THAT MAY CAUSE DIVISION, TRAUMA, OR ALIENATION.- AUBURN'S PROGRAMMING FOCUSES ON VIRTUAL GATHERINGS (CURRENTLY TITLED DEAN'S LECTURES) AND STORYTELLING CIRCLE GATHERINGS.DEAN'S LECTURE SERIES:- VIRTUAL LECTURES FEATURING STORYTELLERS, FAITH LEADERS, AND CULTURAL FIGURES (AUTHORS, ACTIVISTS) WHO EXPLORE THEMES OF HEALING, THEOLOGY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)STORYTELLING CIRCLES:- IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL GATHERINGS, INCLUDING WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, FOCUSED ON SHARED HISTORIES, TRAUMA, AND RECONCILIATION.LETTERS TO THE FUTURE:- A PROJECT WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WRITE HOPEFUL, HEALING "LETTERS" ENVISIONING A FUTURE ROOTED IN JUSTICE AND LOVE.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Center for Storytelling & Narrative Change
Initiative equipping leaders to transform harmful religious narratives through storytelling gatherings, dean’s lectures, and Letters to the Future.
Dean’s Lecture Series
Virtual gatherings featuring storytellers, faith leaders, and cultural figures who are advancing healing and justice, hosted by the Center for Storytelling & Narrative Change.
Emerging Leaders Program
Multi-faith leadership development experience for emerging faith leaders ages 18–35, featuring in-person intensives and monthly virtual sessions focused on skill-building, dialogue, and network formation.
Letters to the Future
Collection of inspirational letters written by faith leaders and community members, read by over 225,000 people, promoting hope and healing across religious traditions.
Walter and June Wink Fellowship
Training for Christian ministry professionals and religious educators to develop children-centered storytelling practices and intergenerational approaches to sacred texts.
Wheeler Fellows Program
Annual fellowship advancing research in theological education, building on Auburn’s legacy of empirical studies and analysis in faith-based institutions.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Christian Leadership & Discipleship Training 2 activities
- Leadership Development and Training ProgramsOffers multi-faith leadership development programs for emerging and practicing religious leaders, including a four-day in-person training followed by virtual coaching and regathering at the Heal the World Summit, as well as a fellowship program for religious leaders (Walter and June Wink Fellows). These programs cover travel, lodging, meals, and materials at no cost to participants.
- Professional Development and Continuing EducationProvides professional development, certificate training, and continuing education programs for clergy and laity, including the historic summer school program established in 1911 and the Center for Continuing Education founded in 1964, which became a model for theological institutions nationwide.
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Religious Education Support 1 activity
- Endowment and Funding for Theological Education InitiativesSecured permanent endowment funding for the Center for the Study of Theological Education through a partnership with Lilly Endowment Inc. between 2005 and 2007, ensuring long-term sustainability of research and programming.
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Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 1 activity
- Research Translation and Institutional SupportHosts annual consultations and webinars to help theological leaders translate research findings into practical institutional resources and strategies.
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Interfaith and Spiritual Dialogue Programs 1 activity
- Storytelling and Narrative Change EventsHosts public storytelling gatherings, including the Dean’s Lecture Series and Letters to the Future, to support healing from religious and theological legacies of violence and trauma across North America. These events have reached over 225,000 readers and participants since inception.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Public Addresses and Academic EngagementsDelivers baccalaureate and graduation addresses at academic institutions, including Wake Forest University and Pacific School of Religion in 2025, as part of public theological engagement.
- Research on Theological EducationConducts and publishes research on theological education through Auburn Studies in Theological Education, analyzing student debt, giving trends, trustee engagement, and institutional innovation. Produces annual research reports in collaboration with partner organizations for use by theological school leaders.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.46M
Contributions & grants$2.06M60%
Program service revenue$23K1%
Investment income$1.36M39%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$2.96M
Program expenses49%
Admin / overhead45%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.73M
Grants paid out$27K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$18.86M
Cash$308K
Investments$16.32M
Liabilities$459K
Net assets$18.40M
Liquid reserves67.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +17.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMMA JORDAN-SIMPSON | PRESIDENT | 35 | $276K |
| PATRICK REYES | EXECUTIVE VP, DEAN | 35 | $204K |
| SHANNON DALEY-HARRIS | ASSOCIATE DEAN | 35 | $172K |
| MALCOLM EZENNIA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMIN | 35 | $148K |
| ERICA RAMIREZ | APPLIED RESEARCH DIRECTOR | 35 | $147K |
| LISA ANDERSON | VP EMBODIED JUSTICE LEADERSHIP | 35 | $144K |
board members · 14
- BRENDAN BARNICLE — DIRECTOR
- DERRICK MCQUEEN — CHAIR
- ELLEN WINGARD — DIRECTOR
- ERIC WARD — DIRECTOR
- FRANK YAMADA — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE SUTTLES — TREASURER
- GREG STOVELL — DIRECTOR
- JANET EDWARDS — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER JONES-AUSTIN — DIRECTOR
- JOCELYN CUNNINGHAM — SECRETARY
- KATIE GOLIEB — DIRECTOR
- KIM ANDERSON — DIRECTOR
- PRABHJOT SINGH — VICE CHAIR
- REGINA JACOBS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Association of Theological Schools Partner — Collaborates with Auburn to produce an annual research report supporting theological education.
- Emerging Faith Leaders Partner — Network of diverse faith and cultural leaders trained and equipped by Auburn since 2024.
- Emerging Leaders Program Partner — Leadership development program for emerging faith leaders operated by Auburn Theological Seminary
- Erica Littlewolf Partner — Director of the Center for Storytelling & Narrative Change, hosting the Dean’s Lecture Series
- InTrust Partner — Collaborates with Auburn to produce an annual research report supporting theological education.
- Lilly Endowment Inc. Funder — Provided permanent endowment for Auburn’s Center for the Study of Theological Education in 2007.
- Lilly Endowment, Inc. Partner — Partnered with Auburn to endow the Center for Study of Theological Education between 2005 and 2007.
- Mo Ranch Partner — Host site for the Wink Fellowship in-person training in San Antonio, TX.
- Pacific School of Religion Partner — Hosted a speaking engagement by Rev. Patrick B. Reyes, Ph.D.
- Wake Forest University Partner — Hosted a speaking engagement by Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson.
- Zephyr Point Partner — Host site for the Wink Fellowship in-person training in Lake Tahoe, NV.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Data-Informed Theological Education and Institutional Changemethodology: data-driven theological education supportBy applying empirical research and data analysis to theological education, we help institutions adapt to societal and technological shifts, because evidence-based insight enables more responsive and resilient leadership development.
- Narrative Change Through Storytelling and Theological Framingmethodology: storytelling_and_narrative_changeBy using storytelling, public theology, and critical engagement with religious narratives, we shift harmful spiritual frameworks into ones of love, healing, and justice, because narrative重塑 (re-formation) is a primary lever for transforming communal identity and action.
- Transformative Interfaith Leadership Developmentmethodology: interfaith-leadership-developmentBy integrating interfaith dialogue, theological reflection, and inclusive spiritual learning, we equip faith leaders to advance healing and justice, because diverse, embodied, and relational practices transform religious divides into collective action.