Summary
Focus on the Family ("Focus") spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family. The primary means of accomplishing these goals are radio broadcasts, periodicals, books, films, videos and events which share the message with constituents, schools, churches and the public at large in the United States, as well as around the world. Focus was founded in 1977 by Dr. James Dobson.
This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | 8605 Explorer Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO
80920-1049 |
| Website: | www.family.org |
| Phone: | (719) 531-3400, (800) 232-6459 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 953188150
| CEO/President: |
Mr. James D. Daly |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Dr. James Dobson |
Fiscal Year End: |
September 30 |
| Board Size: |
14 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
Dr. James Dobson |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1977 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1981 |
Focus on the Family ("Focus") spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family. The primary means of accomplishing these goals are radio broadcasts, periodicals, books, films, videos and events which share the message with constituents, schools, churches and the public at large in the United States, as well as around the world. Focus was founded in 1977 by Dr. James Dobson.
This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Focus On the Family uses the following to express its Mission Statement:
To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and, specifically, to accomplish that objective by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Focus has grown, expanded and accomplished much over the years to include a wide array of separate ministries under its umbrella. The following descriptions are intended to provide just a sample of the diversity of these programs, projects, and outreaches.
Radio and Television Programs:
"Adventures in Odyssey" Broadcast, Armed Forces Radio & Television Services Broadcast, "Family News in Focus" Broadcast, "Focus on the Family" Broadcast, "Focus on the Family Commentary" Broadcast, "Focus on the Family Commentary" TV, "Focus on the Family Radio Magazine", "Focus on the Family Radio Theater" Broadcast, "Focus on the Family Weekend" Broadcast, Holiday Special Broadcast, "James Dobson Family Minute" Broadcast, Life on the Edge Live", "Solid Answers" Broadcast, and Television Specials.
Periodicals:
"Boundless" Webzine, "Breakaway" Magazine, "Brio" Magazine, "Focus on the Family Citizen" Magazine, "Focus on the Family Clubhouse" Magazine, "Focus on the Family Clubhouse, Jr." Magazine, "Citizen Issues Alert" Weekly Faxletter, "Family News from Dr. James Dobson" Monthly Letter, "Focus on the Family" Magazine, "Heartlink" Newsletter, "LifeWise" Magazine, Pastor's Family Bulletin, "Pastor to Pastor" Recordings, "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" Faxletter, "Physician" Magazine, "Plugged In" News Magazine, "Single-Parent Family" Magazine, "Teachers in Focus" Magazine.
Family Resources:
Book Publishing, "Renewing the Heart", "Life on the Edge", "Focus Over Fifty", "Heritage Builders".
Films and Videos:
Focus began its first film production in 1986 and has continued producing new programs every year since then. The list of titles includes two series for children, "Adventures in Odyssey" and "Last Chance Detectives"; several videos for teens such as "Sex, Lies, and the Truth" and "No Apologies" that address the topic of abstinence; "Masquerade" which warns teens of the dangers of drugs and alcohol; and "Life on the Edge", a series presenting help on many issues faced by those about to enter adulthood. Programs for parents and other adults include "A Winnable Wa"r and "Fatal Addiction", dealing with the issue of pornography; "That the World May Know", a multi-part series filmed in Israel that teaches important faith lessons; and, most recently, "Vive La Difference" a humorous look at the differences between men and women and how these differences impact the marriage relationship.
Focus continues to seek the widest possible audiences for its videos. All of its original videos are scripted and filmed with Christian audiences in mind: with careful editing, however, many of its videos are also appropriate for viewing by non-Christian audiences where an overtly religious message would not be accepted, but solid, moral advice and information on improving family life is still much needed. Thus, Focus has been very successful over the years in marketing many of its videos in a secular version to public schools, civic organizations, and corporations around the country.
Personal Touch Ministries:
Attorney's Ministry, Briargate Media, Chaplaincy Ministry, Corporate Outreach, Correspondence, Counseling, Counseling Enrichment Program, Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC's), Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family Bulletin, Direct Mail Resources, Ethnic Minitries, Focus on the Family Institute, Focus on the Family Web Site, "Focus on the Family with Dr. James Dobson" Newspaper Column, Focus Over Fifty, General Benevolent Fund, Heritage Builders, Legislative and Cultural Affairs, The "Life on the Edge" Tour, "Love Won Out" Conferences, Ministry to Chaplains, Ministry to Physicians, National Day of Prayer Task Force, Pastoral Ministries, Pillars Seminars, Physicians Resource Council, Pro-Family Newspaper Advertisements, State Family Policy Councils, Welcome Center/Bookstore/Whit's End, Women's Outreach, Youth Culture, International Outreach, International Foreign Language Broadcast, International Print and Video Resource Translations.
Associate Offices:
Australia, Canada, Chinese Outreach, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, The Phillippines, Southren Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
Focus On The Family's Statement of Faith is:
1. We believe the Bible to be the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Focus On The Family began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson's increasing concern for the American family. A Ph.D. in child development (University of Southern California), he served 14 years as associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the USC School of Medicine and a concurrent 17 years on the attending staff of Los Angeles Children's Hospital in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He saw massive internal and external pressures on American households that was causing unprecedented disintegration of families. Yet there seemed to be no comprehensive, rational and biblically based conception of the family by those in greatest need.
From a two-room suite in Arcadia, Calif., Dr. Dobson began with a 25-minute weekly radio program heard on only a few dozen stations. Focus has since become an international organization with more than 74 different ministries and nearly 1,300 employees. Focus has daily broadcasts heard on over 4,000 facilities worldwide, and Dr. Dobson still explores family issues, usually with one or more recognized experts as guests.
Meanwhile, other parts of the organization produce six additional broadcasts, ten magazines (sent to more than 2.3 million people a month), award-winning books, films, and videos. Focus also responds to as many as 55,000 letters a week, offers professional counseling and referrals to a network of 1,500 therapists, and addresses public policy and cultural issues.
Dr. Dobson's method attempts to "turn hearts toward home" by reasonable, biblical and empirical insights so people will be able to discover the founder of homes and the creator of families: Jesus Christ.
Focus on the Family Action, Inc. (FOFA) was organized as a religious corporation on April 2, 2004, and will specifically be active in the promotion of social welfare by addressing the Christian community and the Christian’s responsibility in the public policy arena, both locally and nationally. It is organized under the Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act for religious purposes. FOFA was formed for the express purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to provide an educational service to parents and others who are concerned with healthy family living, toward the end of strengthening the family in its varied dimensions.
Focus on the Family uses the following to express its ministry need:
Focus on the Family's 80 different ministries seek to strengthen families and spread the gospel around the world. As a nonprofit organization, we rely entirely upon tax-deductible contributions from people like you. Thank you for partnering with us in the Lord's work. May He richly bless you as you help others.
See the ministry's website for more information.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | 6/14/2005 11:40:48 AM: Organization made financial information available less than 5 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 3/30/2006 12:05:22 PM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 3/30/2006 12:05:28 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Educational Media Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 193 of 352 | 21 of 40 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 236 of 352 | 28 of 40 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | 143 of 352 | 14 of 40 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | 194 of 352 | 19 of 40 |
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
June 2005
By J. Andrew Preslar
Focusing on the Family: Three Reactions
Love them or not, Focus on the Family (FOF) is an organization that is hard to ignore. Dr. James Dobson and company are not shy about commenting forcefully upon the most pressing and controversial social issues facing contemporary Americans. The fact that the organization is ready to take political stands (insofar as political issues come to bear upon family matters) makes things all the more interesting. Furthermore, everyone who is part of a family is in some sense the object of FOF; what Dobson has to say usually hits close to home. This is, of course, the whole point. When a media ministry with an annual budget of more than $120 million whose multiple radio programs and print resources reach millions upon millions of people via thousands of facilities worldwide speaks about topics so personal, it is hard not to react in some way.
Generally speaking, reactions to Dr. Dobson’s focus on the family take one of three forms: (A) “Focus on your own [expletive] family!” This literal bumper sticker response is expressive of the deep sense of injustice – albeit expressed in a juvenile manner – which many people feel in response to their belief that FOF is critical of their private lives. (B) “Christians shouldn’t try to change the culture. And they should certainly steer clear of politics.” This response comes from two distinct quarters. First, there are secularists who insist on the separation of church and state to the point of maintaining that the opinions of religious people have no place in the arena of public debate. Then there are conservative Christians who believe that the church’s mission is exclusively spiritual. Christian ministries, they say, ought to focus on preaching the Gospel; such activity could lead to dangerous entanglements that compromise the Gospel message. (C) Finally, FOF elicits the following response: “Thank goodness there is someone speaking up for what I believe!” This is usually the reaction of people who think that mainstream American culture has become hostile to basic moral principles and family values. These folks are grateful for Dobson’s willingness to serve as a counter-cultural voice of moral reason. As evidenced by the tremendous support which the ministry receives each year, FOF’s conservative, family-oriented message is resonating with a large segment of the population.
FOF’s message and ministry are shaped by two basic beliefs: (1) biblical Christianity is the absolute truth, and (2) the institution of the family and the traditional values which uphold it are necessary components of God’s design for the good of humankind. FOF believes that families can experience true goodness leading to joy when (a) individuals are brought to faith in Jesus Christ, (b) parents are taught to apply eternal (transcendent) values, professional insight and practical wisdom to family life and (c) Christians find the courage and the means to bring those same transcendent values to bear upon the institutions (e.g., government) which shape the larger social context in which families live.
The Law of Love
Bumper sticker reactions aside, FOF does not want to intrude upon people’s private affairs. They understand that the nuclear family constitutes a discreet whole which is fundamentally related to the larger society while at the same time possessing an inherent right to privacy and autonomy. However, FOF does not consider the institution of the family to be a “private affair” because it understands that the family is objectively defined, and the culture has a stake in its health and preservation. A society without families is a peculiar abstraction which could only be concretely realized at the cost of love and the decency which creates the protective context for that love. And a loveless society inevitably destroys itself; that is to say, destroys people.
Moreover, FOF believes that the family is not a purely conventional institution which individuals or societies can shape and change according to their own ends. Natural law and Holy Scripture demonstrate that man and woman are made uniquely for one another, and that their unique mode of coming together (sexual intercourse) is ordered to the good of fruitfulness – the production of offspring. The nuptial coming together of one man and one woman for life creates a family, which is a society of love – biologically, psychologically and sacramentally (in covenant before God). In this society, each member receives tremendous benefits and has a unique and complementary role and responsibility towards other members.
For FOF, the family is not merely some social contract. It is human nature’s way. Traditional marriage and the absolute obligation of parents to value, protect and provide for children are built into God’s good design in creation and are made delightful because of love. These are not matters of choice. No government or court can trump natural law. FOF takes strong stands against abortion and homosexual marriage, not because of any “political persuasion” or “insensitivity,” but precisely because they take a strong stand for the law of love.
FOF loves people; hence, they help families, address social issues affecting families, and preach the Gospel. It is important to underscore this last item. FOF believes that the biblical and natural law of love is ultimately and truly obeyed only through Jesus Christ. God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is, therefore, entirely relevant to the good of the family and society. Dr. Dobson sometimes grows impatient with Bible-believing Christians who insist that preaching the Gospel entails steering clear of “political issues.” Dobson firmly believes that “‘engaging the culture’ and ‘sharing the gospel message’ are not two distinct things; rather, they are inexorably intertwined.”
Family, Church and Society
Gospel proclamation inevitably engages the culture because the three most fundamental social institutions – family, church and government – have each been ordained by God. Every society, no matter how secular, is part of a theological matrix. FOF describes the purposes of these institutions as follows:
The family exists to propagate the race and to provide a safe and secure haven in which to nurture, teach and love the younger generation. The church exists to minister to individuals and families by sharing the love of God and the message of repentance and salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The government exists to maintain cultural equilibrium and to provide a framework for social order (from FOF’s statement, “Our Guiding Principles”).
Although church, government and family are fundamentally distinct (one cannot be reduced to the other), they are invariably related one to another. At any given time and place, such relations can be for better or for worse. The question of precisely how they ought to relate is complex, and Christians often disagree over the answer. FOF tries to tries to help families navigate between the Scylla of conformity and the Charybdis of separatism. A Christian parent attempting to serve the Lord both by raising godly children and by engaging the culture with the message of the Gospel cannot afford the luxury of political and social ignorance and inactivity. FOF exists to support these parents. Focusing on the family means promoting an objective good, the traditional family, which by its very nature requires attention to spiritual truths and social issues.
Sharing the Gospel
FOF’s primary purpose is to proclaim God’s grace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Human government and the nuclear family are ordained towards temporal goods. Human beings realize their ultimate good only through the grace of God. At the same time, FOF recognizes that the Good News is not proclaimed, nor does it produce its effects, in a social vacuum. Anyone who reads the Bible knows that a great majority of it deals precisely with the issue of the relationship of Church, family and government(s). Whether it is the temporal continuity and social solidarity of the chosen people portrayed in numerous genealogies, Moses prescribing God’s regulations for preserving Israel as a just society in the promised land, the Prophets haranguing the nations (including Israel) because of their false worship and social injustices, the practical wisdom of Proverbs, St. Paul’s gentle admonishments to husbands and wives and children, or his encouraging the young bishop Timothy to pray for political leaders so that the Gospel may flourish, God’s word consistently shows that salvation is more than a matter for private reflection through individualistic faith. Thus, FOF’s mission statement, which some critics might see as disjointed, is actually a holistic vision in continuity with the biblical history of redemption: “To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and specifically, to accomplish that objective by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family.”
FOF conceives of its family-oriented ministries as new approaches to sharing the Gospel with people living in “a godless society where human hearts have become hardened to traditional Christian evangelism. . . .” FOF claims to have “discovered that people who might never attend church or allow someone to witness to them will listen to what the Bible has to say about a meaningful home life. Thus, the connection between meeting the family’s relational needs and addressing it spiritual emptiness is the key to helping us present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in homes throughout the country.”
The Ministries of Focus on the Family
Dr. Dobson’s professional expertise is in child development (he has a Ph.D. in the field). His deepest convictions are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible and by Christians throughout the ages. His public image is shaped by his influence and activity in the political arena. All of these things coalesce in FOF, an international outreach which consists of 1,200 employees, 20 associate offices, and 80 ministries reaching almost 200 million people in more than 100 countries. FOF’s countless resources include magazines and books, videos and CDs, conferences and retreats, radio broadcasts and a voluminous website. Dobson is the author of numerous books, including several best-sellers (e.g., Dare to Discipline, Bringing Up Boys), which are featured by FOF and contain a wealth of psychological, practical and spiritual insight and advice for parents. Here is a small sample of FOF ministries, arranged by category:
Broadcast Ministries. FOF’s flagship ministry is its daily broadcast program
Focus on the Family, which is aired on more than 2,000 radio facilities throughout the U.S. and hundreds more around the world. Dobson is the show’s daily host. Guest hosts include FOF psychologist in residence Dr. Bill Maier, physician Dr. Walter Larimore and
Life on the Edge (FOF’s Saturday night call-in program for teens) host Susie Shellenberger. The program deals with a variety of topics which are highly relevant to families.
Adventures in Odyssey is a unique half-hour radio drama airing daily and on weekends. The program, which utilizes professional actors, top-notch writers and state-of-the-art production, has been a favorite of children and adults since it began airing in 1987. The show is designed to impart biblically-based morality through compelling and enjoyable stories.
Online Ministries. FOF’s website draws a consistently growing audience of about 45,000 visitors per day. This provides a powerful means of disseminating quality marriage and parenting materials as well as religious and political commentary. FOF has developed a number of supplementary websites designed for special audiences, including sites for young families, single-parent families, children and teens, and sites dedicated to policy issues, educational issues and special needs (e.g., pornography addiction). Links to each of these Internet resources can be found at FOF’s main website.
Periodicals. FOF publishes some 15 periodicals, including the popular
Brio magazine for teen girls,
Family News from Dr. James Dobson, and
Heartlink, a resource for pregnancy care centers and individuals involved in counseling young women with unplanned pregnancies.
Book, Film and Video Resources. FOF partners with several Christian authors and publishers to produce quality family resources. FOF publications and productions feature both specialty resources designed to deal particular family issues and general resources designed to reach the widest possible audience with solid moral advice.
Personal Touch Ministries. FOF provides support directly to hurting people by means of its staff of chaplains. These ministers make phone contact with people who are spiritually confused, terminally ill, lonely, suffering from medical difficulties, or needing special assistance. FOF also ministers via direct communication to the thousands of people who contact them each day seeking a response to unique requests. This ministry is made possible through the efforts of more than 100 staff, each of whom has an earned degree. Additional FOF “personal touch ministries” occur by means of providing support to other organizations or groups which work to protect life and serve families, including pregnancy resource centers, ethnic ministries, and pastors.
International Outreach. FOF’s associate offices are independent entities, founded and staffed by more than 250 nationals who extend FOF’s message and ministry to people around the world. In order to help facilitate this task, FOF print and video resources have been translated into 27 different languages.
Finally, it is worth noting that FOF has recently created a legally independent organization, Focus on the Family Action, as means of wielding political influence through expanded lobbying activities. Because gifts to FOF are tax deductible, the IRS severely limits the organization’s involvement in such activities. The new organization provides Dr. Dobson with a forum for taking stands on ballot measures and lobbying legislative bodies.