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Non-profit

Servant Foundation

Location:

Overland Park, KS
Tax ID:

43-1890105
Budget (2021):

Revenue: $641,515,454
Expenses: $401,657,418
Assets: $976,853,498
Type:

Non-Profit
Formation:

2000 1

References

  1.  “The Servant Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431890105
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $942,411,964

Expenses: $537,157,776

Assets: $1,370,435,851 1

References

  1. “The Servant Foundation.” Instrumentl. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://irs-efile-renderer.instrumentl.com/render?object_id=202320469349302877

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Servant Foundation is a Christian nonprofit most known for launching the “He Gets Us” campaign, which included Super Bowl advertisements in 2023 and 2024. 1 Originally tied to the National Christian Foundation (NCF) in 2000, it broke away in 2017 and is now primarily funded through the donor-advised fund The Signatry. 2 3

Secular liberal critics have criticized the Servant Foundation for its association and contributions to conservative-leaning organizations, while several conservatives and traditional Christians criticized the Super Bowl commercials for promoting a left-leaning interpretation of the Christian message. 4

Background

The Servant Foundation is a Christian nonprofit most known for launching the “He Gets Us” campaign, which included Super Bowl advertisements in 2023 and 2024. The campaign has also included digital and billboard advertising. 5

The organization was established in 2000 in Kansas by Christian attorney Bill High in partnership with the National Christian Foundation, which handled the accounting and administrative work. The Servant Foundation broke away from the NCF in 2017. 6

The foundation is currently primarily backed by Christian donor-advised fund called The Signatry. 7

The Kansas-based Servant Foundation is not to be confused with the Oklahoma-based Servant Foundation, a nonprofit aligned with the Church of the Servant, a United Methodist congregation in Oklahoma City. 8

Financial Ties

The Signatry, the donor-advised fund that now funds the Servant Foundation, has received more than $4 billion in contributions and helped make more than $3 billion in charitable grants. 9

The Signatry says it funds “discipleship and outreach efforts, Bible translations, cultural care, church plants, anti-human-trafficking missions, student ministries, poverty alleviation, clean water initiatives, and so much more.” 10

The Servant Foundation donated $65.9 million to Alliance Defending Freedom from 2018 through 2021, according to a compilation from the British-based liberal investigative group Open Democracy. 11

The organization also contributed to conservative organizations Focus on the Family, the American Center for Law and Justice, the Family Research Council, Heartbeat International and the Heritage Foundation. 12

The Green family, who own craft-supply retailer Hobby Lobby, contributed to the “He Gets Us” campaign at a time when the Servant Foundation ran the campaign. 13

“He Gets Us”

The Servant Foundation’s “He Gets Us” campaign began in late 2021, and gained attention with digital ads in 2022 to target young audiences. The campaign spent in the same league as major corporations such as Old Navy, TD Ameritrade, and Mercedes-Benz. 14

The “He Gets Us” campaign reportedly cost the organization $300 million. 15

The Servant Foundation no longer oversees the “He Gets Us” campaign, which was moved into a new charitable organization called Come Near, the Associated Press reported in 2024. Come Near says it is “committed to sharing the life and love of Jesus in thought-provoking new ways.” 16

Campaign spokesperson Greg Miller said the HeGetsUs.com website got 715,000 views in the 24 hours after the 2024 Super Bowl. Miller told the Associated Press, “Our goal is to really show that Jesus loved and cared for anyone and everyone. … One of the main purposes for ‘He Gets Us’ is to try and invite anyone, no matter what they believe, to explore the story of Jesus.” 17

The “He Gets Us” website lists the most common questions, including one about LGBT people, and says, “Jesus loves gay people and Jesus loves trans people … No matter who you are, YOU are invited to explore the story of Jesus and consider what it means for your life.” 18

The “He Gets Us” campaign planned to advertise during 2024 Olympics in Paris, during the 2024 NFL draft, and during the 2024 Republican and Democratic conventions. 19

Some traditional Christians criticized the 2024 Super Bowl ad for references to washing the feet of an LGBT person and another frame showing washing the feet of a woman outside what appeared to be an abortion clinic. 20

In 2024, Joel Berry, editor of conservative satire publication The Babylon Bee, posted on X that the Super Bowl commercial was “strictly following oppressed v oppressor intersectionality guidelines” attempting to “sell Jesus to leftists” or to “sell a political movement.” 21

Meanwhile, the leftwing Americans United for Separation of Church and State is among groups on the left that said the Servant Foundation and the “He Gets Us” campaign is a “Christian Nationalist” threat. 22

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) criticized the 2023 Super Bowl ad, posting on Twitter: “Something tells me Jesus would *not* spend millions of dollars on Super Bowl ads to make fascism look benign.” 23

Leadership

William High is the CEO of the Signatory and the Servant Foundation. 24

Steve French is the president and CEO of The Signatry as well as The Servant Foundation. 25 26

Lawrence Scott is the senior vice president and general counsel of The Signatry and the Servant Foundation. 27

References

  1. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  2. Bauer, Sydney and Cariboni, Diana. “Non-profit behind ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads is main funder for US hate group.” Open Democracy. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/servant-foundation-he-gets-us-jesus-gen-z-alliance-defending-freedom/
  3. Baer, Maria. “$100M Ad Campaign Aims to Make Jesus the ‘Biggest Brand in Your City.’” Christianity Today. March 11, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/march/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-branding-jesus-church-marketing.html?fbclid=IwAR2PxsyhNbK_dzbtwrrzYPD_COdvfdpuqRrIHEFBdXbE41lD3yASO-iQnZg
  4. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  5. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  6. Bauer, Sydney and Cariboni, Diana. “Non-profit behind ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads is main funder for US hate group.” Open Democracy. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/servant-foundation-he-gets-us-jesus-gen-z-alliance-defending-freedom/
  7.  Baer, Maria. “$100M Ad Campaign Aims to Make Jesus the ‘Biggest Brand in Your City.’” Christianity Today. March 11, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/march/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-branding-jesus-church-marketing.html?fbclid=IwAR2PxsyhNbK_dzbtwrrzYPD_COdvfdpuqRrIHEFBdXbE41lD3yASO-iQnZg
  8. “The Servant Foundation.” The Church of the Servant. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://servantokc.org/the-servant-foundation
  9. Jones, Kevin. “Super Bowl 2023: Who’s behind those ‘He Gets Us’ ads about Jesus?” Catholic News Agency. December 5, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252988/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-encourages-people-to-take-a-deeper-look-at-jesus
  10. Jones, Kevin. “Super Bowl 2023: Who’s behind those ‘He Gets Us’ ads about Jesus?” Catholic News Agency. December 5, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252988/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-encourages-people-to-take-a-deeper-look-at-jesus
  11. Bauer, Sydney and Cariboni, Diana. “Non-profit behind ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads is main funder for US hate group.” Open Democracy. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/servant-foundation-he-gets-us-jesus-gen-z-alliance-defending-freedom/
  12. Bauer, Sydney and Cariboni, Diana. “Non-profit behind ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads is main funder for US hate group.” Open Democracy. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/servant-foundation-he-gets-us-jesus-gen-z-alliance-defending-freedom/
  13. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  14. Baer, Maria. “$100M Ad Campaign Aims to Make Jesus the ‘Biggest Brand in Your City.’” Christianity Today. March 11, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/march/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-branding-jesus-church-marketing.html?fbclid=IwAR2PxsyhNbK_dzbtwrrzYPD_COdvfdpuqRrIHEFBdXbE41lD3yASO-iQnZg
  15. Bauer, Sydney and Cariboni, Diana. “Non-profit behind ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads is main funder for US hate group.” Open Democracy. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/servant-foundation-he-gets-us-jesus-gen-z-alliance-defending-freedom/
  16. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  17. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  18. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  19. Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  20.  Stanley, Tiffany. “For 2nd straight year, Super Bowl watchers see ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus partly funded by Hobby Lobby family.” Associated Press. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/who-is-behind-jesus-he-gets-us-commercials-super-bowl/
  21. Stanton, Andrew. “Christian Super Bowl Commercial Outrages Conservatives.” Newsweek. February 12, 2024. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://www.newsweek.com/christian-super-bowl-commercial-outrages-conservatives-1869125
  22. “The Servant Foundation: the power behind the ads.” Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://www.au.org/the-servant-foundation/
  23. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. X. February 12, 2023. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1624967013817884674
  24. “Servant Foundation.” Nonprofit Light. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://nonprofitlight.com/ks/overland-park/servant-foundation
  25. Baer, Maria. “$100M Ad Campaign Aims to Make Jesus the ‘Biggest Brand in Your City.’” Christianity Today. March 11, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2024. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/march/he-gets-us-ad-campaign-branding-jesus-church-marketing.html?fbclid=IwAR2PxsyhNbK_dzbtwrrzYPD_COdvfdpuqRrIHEFBdXbE41lD3yASO-iQnZg
  26. “Servant Foundation.” Nonprofit Light. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://nonprofitlight.com/ks/overland-park/servant-foundation
  27.  “Servant Foundation.” Nonprofit Light. Accessed March 9, 2024. https://nonprofitlight.com/ks/overland-park/servant-foundation
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: March - February
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 2000

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Mar Form 990 $641,515,454 $401,657,418 $976,853,498 $2,125,892 N $626,704,210 $388,707 $5,302,464 $1,218,945 PDF
    2020 Mar Form 990 $405,509,413 $344,668,679 $702,254,466 $2,738,013 N $394,797,196 $292,153 $5,581,747 $1,254,811 PDF
    2019 Mar Form 990 $1,017,526,786 $356,214,603 $668,643,509 $1,856,984 Y $1,020,021,735 $546,249 $4,531,845 $999,460 PDF
    2018 Mar Form 990 $6,003,534 $6,760,274 $4,325,087 $808,679 N $3,876,779 $2,087,778 $27,686 $740,949 PDF
    2017 Mar Form 990 $5,150,542 $4,908,126 $4,539,441 $67,852 N $4,553,794 $1,268,113 $4,605 $654,214 PDF
    2016 Mar Form 990 $3,105,373 $4,951,141 $4,321,044 $91,871 N $3,184,494 $1,157,140 $-16,985 $317,805 PDF
    2015 Mar Form 990 $1,426,391 $955,891 $6,145,702 $91,412 N $1,179,963 $300,656 $603 $44,751 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $2,638,325 $2,243,145 $5,718,099 $134,309 N $1,736,835 $970,229 $-52,184 $254,794 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $4,561,894 $1,332,462 $5,213,162 $79,956 Y $3,930,294 $706,038 $-44,602 $285,177 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,740,335 $1,686,114 $1,926,575 $70,188 Y $967,161 $844,897 $-35,890 $270,358 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $1,240,058 $1,311,057 $1,668,132 $46,051 N $681,065 $607,445 $8,057 $292,542 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Servant Foundation

    7171 W 95TH ST STE 501
    Overland Park, KS 66212-2254