Skip to main content
IRS-authorized e-file provider · not the IRS

Nonprofit · EIN 04-3615764

PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC

Tax-exempt · CANTON, OH 44706

Financials

$963K$993K2022$860K$858K2023$908K$947K2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
July 31, 2025990$907,937$946,654-$38,717$55,943$8,840$47,103
July 31, 2024990$859,530$857,901$1,629$95,697$9,877$85,820
July 31, 2023990$963,079$993,400-$30,321$100,850$16,659$84,191
Financial details: 990 for the year ended July 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$530,142
Program service revenue
$377,795
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$123,539
Other salaries and wages
$36,832
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$169,827
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$7,094
Depreciation
$7,623
Program services (functional)
$839,316
Management and general (functional)
$107,338

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$95,697
Total assets, end of year
$55,943
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,840
Net assets, end of year
$47,103
Land, buildings and equipment
$15,262
Net assets without donor restrictions
$47,103
Gross receipts
$907,937
Employees
2
Volunteers
15
Year formed
2001
State of legal domicile
OH

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended July 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
BRIAN MICHAELDirector of Campuses
Trustee or director, Officer
4$38,698
FINIS JOE ELLISPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
8$28,779
DR JAMES LITTLESDirector of Academics
Trustee or director, Officer
4$12,450
STEVE SCHOBERTDirector of Operations
Trustee or director, Officer
4$10,450
THOMAS ELLISDirector of Marketing
Trustee or director, Officer
4$8,350
GEORGE SZABOLCSIExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
DIANA REEDExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
TIMOTHY LEEExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
SERGEY TOMYEVExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
TRAVIS MILLERExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
AKIL THOMPSONExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended July 31, 2024: 12 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
BRIAN MICHAELDirector of Campuses
Trustee or director, Officer
4$41,648
FINIS JOE ELLISPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
8$29,579
DR JAMES LITTLESDirector of Academics
Trustee or director, Officer
4$13,200
STEVE SCHOBERTDirector of Operations
Trustee or director, Officer
4$11,200
THOMAS ELLISDirector of Marketing
Trustee or director, Officer
4$9,000
GEORGE SZABOLCSIExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
JAMES LASHLEYExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
DIANA REEDExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
TIMOTHY LEEExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
SERGEY TOMYEVExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
TRAVIS MILLERExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
AKIL THOMPSONExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended July 31, 2023: 10 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
BRIAN MICHAELDirector of Campuses
Trustee or director, Officer
4$43,348
FINIS JOE ELLISPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
8$29,729
DR JAMES LITTLESDirector of Academics
Trustee or director, Officer
4$11,500
STEVE SCHOBERTDirector of Operations
Trustee or director, Officer
4$11,450
THOMAS ELLISDirector of Marketing
Trustee or director, Officer
4$10,350
GEORGE SZABOLCSIExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
JAMES LASHLEYExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
DIANA REEDExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
TIMOTHY LEEExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0
SERGEY TOMYEVExecutive Board
Trustee or director
2$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
901 DUEBER AVE SW, CANTON, OH 44706-5123
In care of
% FINIS EILLIS
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Finis Joe Ellis, PO Box 6433, Canton, OH 44706
Signed the 990
FINIS EILLIS, President
Phone
(800) 735-7956
Return prepared by
The Sherley Group Inc

Mission

Training in ministerial studies and leadership provided to pastors and ministers.

990 for the year ended July 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • Training in ministerial studies adn leadership provided to pastors and minsters. PI has approximately 100 campuses in 16 nations and 26 US states serving nearly 800 students.
    Expenses $839,316 · revenue $377,795

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in July, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025July 31, 2026December 15, 2026Not due yet
2024July 31, 2025December 15, 2025990 on file
2023July 31, 2024December 16, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
04-3615764
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2005
Accounting year ends
July
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Religion-related (X20)
Assets (IRS master file)
$55,943
Income (IRS master file)
$907,937

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990July 2025$907,937$946,654$55,943XML
990July 2024$859,530$857,901$95,697XML
990July 2023$963,079$993,400$100,850XML
990July 2022$405,096$435,604$116,837IRS
990July 2021–––IRS
990July 2019–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 04-3615764).

Questions about PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC

What is the EIN of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC is 04-3615764.
Is PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2005.
Are donations to PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending July 31, 2026) is due December 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended July 2025.
Who is the principal officer of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC?
The 990 for the year ended July 31, 2025 names Finis Joe Ellis.
Who are the officers and directors of PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC?
The 990 for the year ended July 31, 2025 lists 11 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $38,698 (BRIAN MICHAEL, Director of Campuses).
How much revenue does PURPOSE INSTITUTE INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended July 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $907,937, expenses of $946,654 and total assets of $55,943 at year end.

Other nonprofits in CANTON

All nonprofits in CANTON · Ohio · Religion-related